The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has pledged to collaborate with state governments to tackle insecurity in the country following a recent Supreme Court judgment granting autonomy to the 774 local government areas.
The promise was made at the end of the 48th National Executive Council meeting of ALGON, held in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The communique was signed by the chairmen of ALGON in Gombe and Ogun states, Sani Haruna and Emiola Gazal, respectively.
According to the communique, ALGON members are eager to embark on projects that will have a positive impact on the lives of their constituents. During the three-day meeting, ALGON expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the judiciary for their roles in ensuring that local governments function properly as enshrined in the Constitution.
The communique emphasizes that local governments have the capacity to address issues of insecurity in collaboration with state governments and fulfill their responsibilities, including primary healthcare, basic education, water supply, rural development, and other critical infrastructure.
ALGON also appreciated private concerns, institutions, and corporate bodies that made presentations at the meeting on local government development and pledged to collaborate in the interest of the grassroots populace.
The communique advises council chairmen across the country to be well-informed and promote harmonious relationships between tiers and arms of government in line with global best practices.
ALGON expressed its gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria Governors Forum, the judiciary, National Assembly, Attorney General of the Federation, critical stakeholders, mass media, civil society organizations, and leadership of local communities for the historic Supreme Court judgment granting autonomy to local governments.
