In a bid to increase efficiency and strengthen systems within the local government administration in the country, the Association of Local Government Service Commissions in Nigeria (ALGSC) has commenced a 3-day summit in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
Declaring the summit open on Wednesday, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State said the local government, being the closest to the people at the grassroots, must be empowered to deliver good governance.
Represented by his deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami, the Governor thanked the association for identifying his administration as one that is people-centric and, has contributed immensely to the development of local government administration in the state
He acknowledged President Tinubu’s legacy reforms that have put the country on the right track and appreciated him for recognising the place of local government in a democratic system, urging the people to support his government to enable him do more for Nigerians.
Reacting to his award as Icon of Good Governance by the association, the governor said the honour done to him will inspire him to intensify his support for institutions with direct impact on administration at the local government level.
He highlighted a few of his achievements since assuming office, which included institutional strengthening and interventions.
According to him, “In relation to local government administration; we have elevated Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) to salary grade level 17 and gave attention to regular and seamless promotion of workers.
“In addition to this, we have improved funding to critical institutions that have direct impact on workers, such as the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), the Pension Transitional Department and the Staff Loans Board.
The governor also revealed that his administration has embarked on expansion of rural road networks across the three senatorial districts and construction of befitting secretariat complex for the Local Government Service Commission.
He enumerated his administration’s investment in healthcare, education, security, infrastructure and industrialisation.
In his remarks, the keynote speaker and Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, urged the federal government and state governments to work harmoniously to achieve a local government system that works for all.
“It looks to me that the FGN needs to make some concession to state governments as stakeholders in local
governance, but with constitutional safeguards that enables a measure of inter-governmental partnerships that is enabling but do not undermine the well-earned and deserved local government autonomy,” Olaopa submitted.
Welcoming participants to the summit, National Chairman of Chairmen of Local Government Service Commissions in Nigeria, Hon. Femi Idris, thanked President Tinubu for his impactful reforms as he asked for more attention to be given to the Local Government Service Commissions across the federation to function optimally and provide credible partnership in grassroots development.
Highpoints of the event were paper presentations and, awards to governors of Ondo, Kano, Ebonyi and Borno states for their commitment towards the development of efficient local government administration in Nigeria.