LG Autonomy Will Help To Solve Insecurity – Defence Minister, Matawalle

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has said the Supreme Court ruling on local government would help to solve the country’s security challenges.

Bello Matawalle said local government chairmen would be free to make decisions that would help address insecurity in their local governments.

The former governor of Zamfara State said this in a statement signed by his Director of Information and Public Relations, Henshaw Ogubike.

He said with the ruling, local governments can collect revenues, manage their finances and allocate resources to the developmental needs of their residents without state interference.

The Minister of State for Defence said, “The verdict will enable local governments to make decisions and take actions without needing approval from state governments adding that local governments can now manage their finances, collect revenues, and allocate resources without state government interference.

“This will boost their independence and direct accountability to the electorates. They can now focus on delivering services and development projects that will lead to better governance and accountability.

“Equally, the local government should be able to solve some security challenges in their locality.”

Matawalle also identified reduced political interference from state governors as an advantage of the Supreme Court ruling.

He said there would be improved service delivery in healthcare, education, sanitation and infrastructure to the local residents.

“It will also reduce political interference and urbanization, state governments can no longer influence local government decisions and this will promote local autonomy.

“This will also Improve service delivery. The local governments can now focus on delivering essential services like healthcare, education, Sanitation and infrastructural development to the people without interference from State Government,” Matawalle added.