Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described Supreme Court judgement affirming fiscal autonomy to local government as a step in the right direction.
Supreme Court had on Thursday ruled in favour of full financial autonomy for the local government councils in the country.
Justice Agim noted that the 774 local government councils in the country, constitutionally, should have the freedom to manage their funds themselves.
Reacting to the judgement, Atiku, in a statement on his official Facebook page and described the ruling as a major corrective action in greasing the wheels of national development across the country.
“The decision by the Federal Government to consolidate disbursements of local councils’ revenues into the state government accounts was a decision that was borne out of politics of hasty compromise.
“I align with the decision of the Supreme Court that the structure of the Nigerian government is portioned in three layers, and of these, the local governments should be centres of development.
“I also share the belief that fiscal autonomy to the local governments should not be limited to revenues from the Federation Accounts, but indeed, should apply to Internally Generated Revenue from the respective local government authorities.
“Many of our states, especially those in the ultra urban areas with high density economic activities, have become notorious in muscling local councils from generating revenue on items that border on motor parks, outdoor advertising, rents and many more.
“The verdict of the court is in tandem with the core functions of the Supreme Court as an arbitration court between and among governments.”
