Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has expressed approval of the Supreme Court’s recent decision to grant financial autonomy to local governments, while also voicing concerns about its practical application.
Upon returning from an official engagement and addressing correspondents at Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo on Monday, Governor Eno commended the Supreme Court’s ruling as a significant advancement for local governance across the country.
He characterized the decision as a major relief for state governments, noting its importance in allowing local authorities to manage their finances independently.
“This Supreme Court decision on local government autonomy is a historic and binding ruling. It’s a welcome development, especially considering the substantial support our state provides to local governments,” Governor Eno stated.
Despite his praise, Governor Eno also highlighted potential challenges in implementing the ruling. He emphasized the need for local governments to effectively manage their financial responsibilities, particularly regarding timely salary payments and clearing arrears owed to teachers, health workers, and other local government employees.
“Our current concern is ensuring that local government workers, especially teachers and health workers, receive their salaries on time, without accumulating arrears that could strain future administrations,” Governor Eno remarked. “Since I took office, we have ensured that local governments receive their allocations without interference. Now, the focus shifts to their ability to manage under this new autonomy.”
Governor Eno expressed optimism about finding effective solutions to the challenges posed by the autonomy ruling and called for cooperative efforts to ensure its successful implementation in Akwa Ibom State.
“The Supreme Court has made its decision, and now we must develop strategies to honor this ruling while ensuring the prosperity of our local governments,” he added.
Local governments, unlike independent nation-states, are subordinate entities deriving their powers from laws enacted by superior governments. The nature of interactions between the three tiers of government defines the degree of autonomy. In Nigeria, the concept of local government autonomy is rooted in a historical context of reforms.
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