03/10/2022
Press Release
REJECTION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY BILL BY BENUE STATE HOUSE of ASSEMBLY UNFAIR
- Roberts Orya
Benue Governorship Hopeful under the YPP, Chief Roberts Orya has described as unfair the recent rejection of the Local Government Autonomy Bill by Members of the Benue State House of Assembly.
Chief Roberts Orya who described the actions of the Assembly Members as obnoxious and against the popular aspirations of the Benue people, said the lawmakers acted more on a self seeking mission rather than thrive in the good and best interest of the people.
He says the proposed LG Autonomy is sacrosanct as it is the only option best suited to entrench the deeper dividends of democracy across citizens which must be anchored primarily on the welfare and security of the people .
Full text below:
1) That the Local Government is the closest tier to the ordinary citizen needs not to be over emphasised, same way the constitutional recognition of LG as tier of the Federal System
2) Consequently any piece of legislation to ensure greater independence for LG administration and governance should not have been contemplated in the negative.
3) It's important to note that you can never deliver democracy benefits especially to the people at the bottom of the ladder in our rural communities if the State Governors continue to hijack and divert the local government funds to other uses.
4) The truth of the matter is that the best measurement index for a performing Governor is the level of development at the local government level with the provision of essential facilities such as;
-culverts/bridges to link markets
-rural roads infrastructure
- health centres/clinics to help take care of basic medical needs of the communities
-electrification of communities
- establishment and upgrading of markets to improve trade
- attention to primary school education and vocational and technical skills acquisition centre
-provision of potable water etc.
5) These are services that the local government administrators can comfortably provide given the monthly allocation to each local government by FAAC.
6) It is therefore very disappointing that our representatives have willingly and without any consultation whatsoever, decided to shoot down the best decision for our people.
One then wonders whose interests are they representing.
7) Local Government Autonomy or not, the practical implementation of BETS come 2023 will not interfere with local government funds but would institute a strict monitoring and delivery mechanism to ensure prudence, transparency and accountability.
8) Our government will do things differently and appropriately and we do possess the political will to do that.
9) I feel so sad with this unpopular action by members of Benue State House of Assembly. It's indeed a shame!!!
Chief Roberts Orya
YPP Gubernatorial Candidate Benue State
3rd Oct 2022
Makurdi