At its 49th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) announced a significant partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This collaboration is aimed at orienting its members across the 774 local government areas of the country on critical areas such as procurement, financial spending, due process, accountability, and transparency.
The announcement was made in a communique jointly signed by ALGON’s National Publicity Secretary, Bala Chamoo, and National Treasurer, Gazal Babatunde.
The communique outlined seven key resolutions from the meeting, which are designed to position ALGON to better serve Nigerians. These resolutions reflect a comprehensive approach to addressing various aspects of local governance and service delivery.
The partnership with the EFCC stands out as a pivotal initiative. By working closely with the EFCC, ALGON aims to provide its members with essential training and guidance on best practices in financial management and transparency, thus reinforcing the integrity of local government operations.
The communique emphasized the importance of capacity building and stakeholder engagement. Following the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024, which granted full autonomy to local governments, ALGON has engaged in numerous multi-stakeholder discussions. These efforts are intended to enhance the capacity of local government administrations and address challenges related to the judgment.
The NEC also addressed the issue of service delivery, acknowledging the growing expectations from LGAs and Area Councils. The association reaffirmed its commitment to improving service delivery to the populace, aiming for tangible successes that meet public needs.
In terms of advocacy and partnerships, the NEC highlighted ongoing high-level advocacy efforts. These include engagements with key ministries and agencies such as the Federal Ministries of Health, Education, Finance, and Petroleum Resources, among others. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to promote a robust local government administration.
The resolution regarding the Supreme Court judgment implementation welcomed the formation of a Federal Government Steering Committee tasked with enforcing and implementing the judgment on local government financial autonomy. ALGON expressed appreciation for the committee and pledged to support the realization of local government autonomy, including a review of the local government structure to better align with public expectations.
The communique also reflected optimism about the positive outcomes expected from the autonomy gains, signaling a hopeful outlook for future developments in local governance.
Lastly, the NEC committed to advancing primary healthcare services by ensuring the completion of primary healthcare center projects across the country. Plans include inviting a consultant to brief the association on the project’s progress.
The resolutions from the ALGON NEC meeting underscore a firm commitment to improving local governance through enhanced financial management, increased capacity building, proactive advocacy, and ongoing efforts to improve primary healthcare services.
