By Paul Effiong, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has advocated closer integration between national, state and local governments through effective by-laws and legislative synergy.
The speaker stated this on Wednesday while declaring open, a three-day national retreat and interactive workshop held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Speaker Abbas, represented by Paschal Agbodike, emphasised the importance of national policies, maintaining that their success depends largely on implementation at the grassroots.
The retreat had two themes — ‘Enhancing The Legislative Capacity of Local Government Councils and ‘Review of the Vertical Revenue Allocation Formula With Active Participation and Input from the 774 Local Government Councils.’
According to the speaker, local government remains the “closest tier of government to the people,” warning against attempts to neglect grassroots council, as it holds the key for national development plans.
Abbas stressed the need for effective laws at the local government level, maintaining that they are essential in bridging the gap between citizens and government at all levels.
He also urged lawmakers at all levels to work together to protect the interest of ordinary Nigerians.
The speaker also highlighted the need for harmony between the three tiers of government, noting that the smooth running of the system relies on mutual respect and shared responsibilities.
He urged lawmakers to pay more attention to the enforcement of local by-laws, which he described as critical to grassroots governance and the delivery of dividends of democracy.
While appreciating the organisers of the retreat, Abbas charged participants to see the gathering as an opportunity to renew their commitment to build strong institutions at the local government level, observing that without a functional local government system, efforts at the federal and state levels may not achieve the desired goals.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the House to legislate on reforms that would strengthen local governance.
In his opening address, National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Bello Lawal advocated a fair and equitable share of national revenue for local governments.
Lawal also noted that local governments remain the closest tier of government to the people, noting that empowering them with sufficient resources through a reviewed Vertical Revenue Allocation Formula would greatly enhance their ability to deliver on essential services such as education, healthcare and food security.
The ALGON president stressed that the retreat was not just a gathering, but a commitment to strengthen intergovernmental relations, deepen legislative harmony and expand fiscal opportunities for grassroots governance.
