By Salis Muhammad Moriki
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) was established with the return of democracy in Nigeria in 1999. The Association provides a platform for interaction and exchange of ideas and experiences for Local Government Chairmen across the country. It is a forum where challenges facing Local Government Councils in Nigeria are analysed with a view to overcoming them and consolidating on the achievements recorded.
Since its inception, the association has recorded various achievements in its areas of operations which include the purchase of Jeeps for police and other security agencies across the country. These vehicles were distributed to each of the 774 Local Government Councils in Nigeria.
Another achievement was the refund of over deductions made from the allocations of Local Government Councils during the Obasanjo Administration for the construction of one model primary health care centre in each Local Government in the country. Others include trainings and workshops organised by the Association for Chairmen and Council members as well as senior personnel of the Local Government Councils.
The Association also collaborated with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to fight the unpopular zero allocation syndrome experienced during the administration of Obasanjo as well as the Etsu Nupe Reform Committee that was constituted with the aim of abolishing Local Government Councils in Nigeria. In fact, this association, as a stakeholder in the management of Nigeria's polity, has done a lot for the development of this country.
Even with these modest achievements recorded, the association was marred with some problems, more especially, leadership crises and alleged mismanagement of funds by the previous leaderships.
The weak leadership of the past adminstrations of the Association led to the factionalisation of ALGON, thereby, inhibiting it from realising the goals of establishing it. The non-conduction of elections by most State Governments at the Local Government Councils and the imposition of Caretaker Committees and Sole Administratorships on the Councils also compounded the challenges facing the Local Government system.
Recently, the association conducted an election as a result of the dissolution of the 44 Local Govrrnment Councils in Kano, which automtically terminated the reign of the then President of the association, Hon. Ibrahim Ahmed Karaye as stipulated by section 17.2 of the ALGON's constitution.
The constitution states that "a member representing Local Government Council, who ceases to be a member of a Local Government Council automatically ceases to be a member of the association or any organ thereof".
The election, which was conducted on the 29th June, 2017, produced leaders that are adjudged to be people of high integrity, and possess vast experience in the stewardship of Local Government Administration in the Country.
The new leadership is headed by Hon. Gambo Tanko Kagara, the Executive Chairman of Rafi Local Government, Niger State. The new deputy president is Hon. Ameachi Sunday H from Abia State while Hon. Aliyu Abubakar Tsafe, the executive chairman of Tsafe Local Government Council, Zamfara state is the new Vice President. Hon. Dapo Olagunju is the Association's Publicity Secretary and he is the chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government of Ekiti State.
The Association hope to leverage on the qualities of this new leadership to create a good and harmonious relationship with the State Governments, through the Nigerian Governors' Forum which will translate to grass root developments. It is a fact that the Local Government Councils in Nigeria have been made appendages of State Governments by the Constitution which puts the responsibility of determining the structure and finances of the Councils on State Assemblies.
A good relationship between the ALGON and the Governors Forum will go a long way in stabilising and unifying the administration of Local Government Councils in the Country, especially on the issue of Joint Account and the status of Local Government Service Boards or Commissions. It will also facilitate the collaborative effort of the Association and NULGE for the attainment of full autonomy for Local Government Councils and the inclusion of Local Government Audit in the Constitution as well as the unification of Local Government Scheme of Service.
ALGON, no doubt, have an important role to play in the sustenance and administration of Local Government system in Nigeria. It is believed that the present leadership will provide the much needed push for the realisation of the association’s laudable goals. This is based on the qualities of the present personalities that assume the association’s mantle of leadership.
By Salis Muhammad Moriki
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