LG Autonomy: Abia Assembly Moves to Enact Law Granting State Government Access to N57 Billion of Local Government Funds, Undermining Supreme Court Ruling | #NwokeukwuMascot
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Abia State House of Assembly Moves to Access Over N57 Billion for Local Government Activities Despite Supreme Court Ruling | #NwokeukwuMascot
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Abia House of Assembly Complex |
Umuahia, Abia State — July 13, 2024 — In a controversial move, the Abia State House of Assembly is set to enact legislation that would allow the state government to access over N57 billion to manage local government activities, despite a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming the financial autonomy of local governments and prohibiting state interference with LG funds.
During a plenary session, the House took the first and second readings of H.A.B 18, the Abia State of Nigeria Local Councils 2024 Appropriation Bill. The bill proposes a bye-law to appropriate N56,732,136,110.00 for the services of the 17 Local Government Councils in the state for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, and for other related purposes.
Details of the Bill:
- The bill aims to allocate a significant budget for local government activities across Abia's 17 councils.
- The total amount proposed stands at N56,732,136,110.00.
- The bill has been committed to the House Committee on Appropriation for further consideration.
The Speaker of the House, while committing the bill to the Appropriation Committee, highlighted the need for expedited review and consideration, indicating the urgency attributed to the bill's passage. The House has adjourned the plenary session and will reconvene on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, to continue discussions.
This legislative move comes in direct contradiction to the Supreme Court's recent landmark judgment, which granted financial autonomy to local governments and barred state governments from tampering with LG allocations. The ruling mandated the Federal Government to disburse funds directly to local government accounts, ensuring that these funds are used exclusively for grassroots development without state interference.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, delivering the Supreme Court's decision, emphasized that state governors have previously abused the allocation process, retaining funds meant for local governments. The judgment was intended to curb such practices and promote transparency and accountability in local governance.
Critics argue that the Abia State House of Assembly's actions undermine the Supreme Court's decision and could lead to potential conflicts between state and federal authorities. Proponents, however, assert that the bill is necessary to ensure that local governments in Abia have adequate funding to operate effectively.
The Information available on the Abia State Ministry of Information website also states that the House has passed the Abia State Tax Codification and Consolidation Amendment Number 2 Bill 2024 for second reading.
As the legislative process continues, the spotlight remains on Abia State, with stakeholders and observers closely monitoring the situation to see how it unfolds in light of the Supreme Court's directive.
Stay tuned to #NwokeukwuMascot for ongoing updates and detailed analysis of this developing story.
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For further updates and reactions, follow our ongoing coverage of this legislative development and its potential implications for local governance in Abia State and beyond.
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