News
Group enjoins judiciary, stakeholders to ensure LG autonomy
By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka Abuja
As the nation awaits the Supreme Court of Nigeria’s (SCN) decision on the suit from the Federal Government (FG), against Nigerian governors, seeking enforcing local government autonomy in line with the 1999 Constitution, the Director General (DG), Advocate for Better Leadership and Sustainable Rural Development Initiative (ABLE), Comrade Destiny Madu has appealed to the Judiciary and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the nation’s local government becomes autonomous.
Recall that on Thursday, June 13, 2024, Justice Garba Lawal – led seven member panel of justices of SCN, after hearing arguments from the federal and states governments, reserved judgment on the suit.
In a statement made available to news men in Abuja, Comrade Madu, particularly, begged the judiciary to seize the opportunity presented by the FG’s suit to restore the sanctity of the local government administration in Nigeria
He warned the judiciary and other stakeholders to not under estimate the strength of hunger, anger and disenfranchised youths across the country, who he said bear the brunt of neglect of the third tier of government for several decades.
“What is happening in various countries across the globe can happen in this country, if we are not careful. I humbly beg all that are concerned to treat this issue with utmost care.
“I have written several letters to this government on this regard. If any governor or group of persons have problem with local government autonomy, they should call for a constitutional review.
“A major part of the economic hardship we are witnessing in the country today can be traced to our inability to resuscitate the local government administration, that was pocketed by state governors.
” In a federal system like ours, you will agree with me that the effectiveness of local governments at development is a major determinant of national development.
“But when local governments are starved of development funds or incapable of generating adequate revenue for development, national development becomes lopsided.
“For instance, there are disparity in the percentage of tarred roads in Nigeria because more than 65 per cent of Nigeria’s roads are resident in the third tier of government, which, in turn, has the scarcest resources among the three tiers.
He lamented that the present structure of revenue generation and allocation in the country, almost leave the third tier of government least capable of delivering the dividends of government to the grassroots.
“Adequate and effective local authority is one of the ways government policies and activities can reach the populace.
“The smooth running of the society needs to be cemented from the grassroots through adequate representations, policy formulations, implementations, and equitable distributions of resources and services.
“Nigeria is one of the few countries that adopted the federal system of government in Africa, a system that envisages autonomy for every tier of its authorities.
“Unfortunately, to suit their interests and political agenda, federal and state governments had maintained a substantial level of influence and control over local authorities over the decades.
“This has hindered local government effectiveness and performances, over the years.
He again appealed to the Judiciary through the Supreme Court, to deliver judgment in favour of government at local level that will be exercised through representative councils, established by law to exercise specific powers within defined areas.
“Also, these powers should give the councils substantial control over local affairs as well as the staff and institutional and financial powers to initiate and direct the provision of services and to determine and implement projects so as to complement the activities of the state and federal governments in their areas, and to ensure, through devolution of these functions to these councils and through the active participation of the people and their traditional institutions, that local initiative and response to local needs and conditions are maximised.
“Nothing short of ruling in favour of autonomy of the local government by the Supreme Court; the ability to be elected at the local level and operate independently of the states and federal government, will be acceptable by Nigerians.
“The apex Court and indeed the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, should save us from the culture of micromanaging local governments, that have evolved over the years, so that the third tier of government will become effective again.
On the other hand, Hon. Madu, advocated that allocations accruing from the federation account to the local governments, for grassroots developmental projects should be adequate for grassroots development.
“President Tinubu led administration should not stop at this legal battle of restoring the lost glory of the local government system in the country, and consider the call to increase the statutory allocation to local governments to 23 per cent, and directly paid to elected local government authorities.
The overall battle to reinstate the third tier of government may prove to be a means of hastening growth and development, as well as stem the tide of skewed development we are currently witnessing in the country.
BY AKUDORO GLORIA
The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), convened a one-day National Consultative Workshop to assess Nigeria’s progress in the implementing of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Declaring the workshop open at Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, the Director General of NCCC, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, said the workshop is part of the country’s broader effort to review and enhance its climate commitments.
NDCs are major aspects of the Paris Agreement that represent the actions countries plan to undertake to address climate change. Nigeria had in 2015 submitted its first NDC and the revised in 2021, demonstrating further its commitment to its unconditional contribution of reducing emissions by 20 per cent relative to business-as-usual (BUA) by 2030, and increasing its conditional target from 45 per cent to 47 per cent.
However, in a statement on Thursday by the Agency’s Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, Ahmed Lawan Danbazau, Dr. Maduekwe highlighted the ongoing engagements with relevant partners in relations to Nigeria’s NDCs
“We have put out calls to the NDCs like the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) who are already supporting the national stocktake by engaging consultants for this crucial project.” She said.
Dr. Maduekwe acknowledged growing interest from other development partners in supporting Nigeria’s energy transition, renewable energy solutions, and visibility studies, adding that the Council has received tremendous support, in areas such as energy transition and renewable energy corridors, which present numerous opportunities for Nigeria,
She stressed the significance of capacity building to the success of the project even as she acknowledged support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate Promise initiative, which made it possible for the recent intensive workshop for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on climate financing.
Emphasizing on the importance of the Council understanding of climate finance in access the necessary funds to achieve the NDCs, Dr. Maduekwe stressed also the cruciality of involving seasoned climate negotiators in Nigeria’s preparations for the upcoming COP29.
“Climate negotiation is a career pathway, not a one-off event. COP29 is all about negotiation, and we are committed to building the capacity of our negotiators to ensure that Nigeria’s position is well-protected,” said the DG.
Earlier, the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibram Bio, said the Ministry aim to have successfully planted 20 million trees across the country by 203, while stating the Ministry’s commitment in ensuring each corps member plants at least 10 trees within their service year, and with approximately 400,000 corps members annually, this translates to 4 million trees to be planted each year.
Also speaking, Economic Officer representing the US Embassy, Mr. Bryan Luton, who highlighted the fruitful discussions held during the inaugural US-Nigeria Binational Commission in April, 2024, where climate and energy issues were the key focus, emphasized the active involvement of various US government agencies, including the US Department of Energy, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and the State Department Energy Bureau, in supporting Nigeria’s efforts.
In his contribution, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, Chairman, Member of (South East), Governing Board of North East Development Commission, highlighted the need for a comprehensive assessment of the country’s NDCs implementation progress and the identification of areas for improvement.
AKUDORO GLORIA
The National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), convened a one-day National Consultative Workshop to assess Nigeria’s progress in the implementing of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Declaring the workshop open at Barcelona Hotel, Abuja, the Director General of NCCC, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, said the workshop is part of the country’s broader effort to review and enhance its climate commitments.
NDCs are major aspects of the Paris Agreement that represent the actions countries plan to undertake to address climate change. Nigeria had in 2015 submitted its first NDC and the revised in 2021, demonstrating further its commitment to its unconditional contribution of reducing emissions by 20 per cent relative to business-as-usual (BUA) by 2030, and increasing its conditional target from 45 per cent to 47 per cent.
However, in a statement on Thursday by the Agency’s Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, Ahmed Lawan Danbazau, Dr. Maduekwe highlighted the ongoing engagements with relevant partners in relations to Nigeria’s NDCs.
“We have put out calls to the NDCs like the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) who are already supporting the national stocktake by engaging consultants for this crucial project.” She said.
Dr. Maduekwe acknowledged growing interest from other development partners in supporting Nigeria’s energy transition, renewable energy solutions, and visibility studies, adding that the Council has received tremendous support, in areas such as energy transition and renewable energy corridors, which present numerous opportunities for Nigeria,
She stressed the significance of capacity building to the success of the project even as she acknowledged support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate Promise initiative, which made it possible for the recent intensive workshop for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on climate financing.
Emphasizing on the importance of the Council understanding of climate finance in access the necessary funds to achieve the NDCs, Dr. Maduekwe stressed also the cruciality of involving seasoned climate negotiators in Nigeria’s preparations for the upcoming COP29.
“Climate negotiation is a career pathway, not a one-off event. COP29 is all about negotiation, and we are committed to building the capacity of our negotiators to ensure that Nigeria’s position is well-protected,” said the DG.
Earlier, the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibram Bio, said the Ministry aim to have successfully planted 20 million trees across the country by 203, while stating the Ministry’s commitment in ensuring each corps member plants at least 10 trees within their service year, and with approximately 400,000 corps members annually, this translates to 4 million trees to be planted each year.
Also speaking, Economic Officer representing the US Embassy, Mr. Bryan Luton, who highlighted the fruitful discussions held during the inaugural US-Nigeria Binational Commission in April, 2024, where climate and energy issues were the key focus, emphasized the active involvement of various US government agencies, including the US Department of Energy, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and the State Department Energy Bureau, in supporting Nigeria’s efforts.
In his contribution, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, Chairman, Member of (South East), Governing Board of North East Development Commission, highlighted the need for a comprehensive assessment of the country’s NDCs implementation progress and the identification of areas for improvement.
BY AKUDORO GLORIA
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday inaugurated the new management board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).
Shettima inaugurated the NDPHC new management board at the Conference Hall of the State House Abuja and charged to bring in their wealth of experience to bear.
Recalled that the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had in August approved the appointment of a new management team for the Company.
The new Management members are Jennifer Adighije (Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer), Abdullahi Kassim (Executive Director, Generation), and Bello Babayo Bello, (Executive Director, Networks).
The rest are Emmmanuel Umeoji, Executive Director (Corporate Services), Omololu Agoro, Executive Director (Finance & Accounts), Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Executive Director (Strategy & Commercial), and Barrister Steven Andzenge, Executive Director (Legal Services).
Those present during the Inauguration are Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who represents the South East region on the Board and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.
NCCC Convenes One-day National Consultative Workshop on Progress in Implementing NDCs
NCCC Convenes One-day National Consultative Workshop on Progress in Implementing NDCs
Vice president inaugurates NDPHC new management board
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