Welcoming New LGs

By Psaro Yornamue
Monday, August 04, 2003

Enugu rolls out the drum to celebrate creation of 39 new local governments, but how will the new ones be funded?

Chimaroke Nnamani, governor of Enugu State has approved N100 million as take-off grant for the 39 new local government councils created by his administration June 12. The state now has a total of 56 councils. The approval of fund has sparked up jubilation in the state by beneficiaries of the councils.

In Enugu, Newswatch learnt that indigenes of communities where new councils were created expressed their happiness through beer drinking in beer parlours along Obiagu, Ogui and presidential roads. Also New Haven and Abakpa areas of the state capital were not left out as traders were seen expressing happiness over the council creation.

Those who spoke to Newswatch reporters in Enugu said the council creation had swelled the achievements of Governor Nnamani in the state. Eboh Chukwuemeka, a trader said "the governor took us by surprise. The creation of local governments has been a long-expected issue but now it has come as a surprise to us. It is worthy of celebration," he said.

As part of the preparations for the take-off of the new councils, on July 14, the governor addressed the 56 chairmen of the transition committees set up for the administration of the councils pending when election would take place to elect chairmen for the councils. He warned them against corrupt practices in the councils, saying the money approved for the new councils was meant for development of a secretariat complex in each of the councils. Nnamani said the appointment of the transition committee chairmen was only a litmus test to prepare them for higher responsibilities.

Said he: "The idea of creating the new councils was motivated by the desire to bring government and development nearer to the people." The governor further warned the chairmen against going into any deal that would tarnish their image and that of the state.

He pointed out that while employment remained embargoed, the chairmen should ensure that payment of salaries of workers was placed above other considerations. Speaking to Newswatch, Abel Chukwu, the re-elected speaker of Enugu House of Assembly said the creation of the new councils met all the constitutional requirements.

Chukwu, who expressed happiness at the positive transformation of the state by the Nnamani administration noted that "the creation of the new councils would open the eyes of people at the grass-roots level to the achievements of the PDP administration in the state."

Tony Ojukwu, the Igwe of Ogui Nike community, who was among the beneficiaries also commended the state governor for the creation of the new councils. He said the governor's achievements would go a long way in developing the rural communities of the state.

The people may have had good reasons to jubilate but how long will it last. The fate of local government in the country is uncertain due to an impending reform at that level of governance. The reforms may lead to the abrogation of local governments. A committee headed by Ndayako, Etsu Nupe, is carrying out the reforms at the instance of Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria's president.