Fate of LCDAs hangs in balance as Lagos Assembly stages second public hearing

Obasa

Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

In a significant move, the Lagos State House of Assembly has announced plans for a second public hearing regarding a crucial bill aimed at revising the Local Government Administration law.

This decision comes as the Assembly invites Attorney-General Lawal Pedro to clarify the implications of a recent Supreme Court judgment concerning financial autonomy for local governments.

The resolutions were made during a session led by the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, who addressed the growing concerns surrounding the fate of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

“Let me be clear: our intention is not to dismantle the LCDAs,” the Speaker declared. “Instead, we are committed to strengthening them while ensuring they are not shortchanged by the parent local governments.”

Obasa revealed he had been inundated with inquiries from constituents eager to understand the future of the LCDAs.

“We are not scrapping the LCDAs,” he reassured the assembly. “Our focus is on interpreting the Supreme Court’s ruling on the joint account shared between Lagos and local governments, finding a collaborative path forward.”

Highlighting the importance of formal recognition for the LCDAs, he called for collaboration with the National Assembly to ensure they are listed as substantive local governments.

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“Consider Kano’s example, which has 44 local governments and gave rise to Jigawa with 27,” he remarked.

He also urged a review of the revenue-sharing formula by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to ensure equity.

The Chairman of the Committee on Local Government, Sanni Okanlawon, presented a report from the previous public hearing, noting disappointing attendance due to adverse weather conditions. He pleaded for a second opportunity to engage stakeholders effectively.

Supporting his plea, Ladi Ajomale raised concerns about public perception.

“Many people fear that the government may be attempting to marginalise certain voices within the local government framework,” he said, advocating for improved collaboration with the National Assembly to ensure the LCDAs’ significance is recognised.

Desmond Elliot further emphasised the necessity of the LCDAs’ formal listing, citing Lagos’s unique demographic and economic stature.

“Anambra State has 21 local governments, yet it cannot compare to Lagos in terms of resources and democratic benefits,” he pointed out.

With tensions high and stakeholders eager to voice their opinions, the second public hearing promises to be a pivotal moment for Lagos’s local governance landscape.