The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor has described as an abbaration the suit seeking full autonomy for Local Government Areas administrations in Nigeria instituted by the Federal Government through the Attorney-General of the Federation against the 36 State Governors.
The Speaker during a question and answer session at a Press briefing in Asaba which was part of the activities lined up to mark the Assembly’s one year since her inauguration, said the AGF’s move was unconstitutional and advised the Federal Government to take advantage of the ongoing Constitution amendment to pursue its course, rather than the filled Court suit.
Emomotimi emphatically stated that going by the constitution of Nigeria, the Federal Government should not in any guise deduct at source from the States what belongs to the Local Governments.
According to him, Delta State was more than ready for Local Government autonomy having been one of the initial States that embraced the law as passed by the Federal Government which later suffered some constitutional set backs.
As stated by the Speaker, the Local government burden was telling on the State government, whom he said continuously augment the Council’s funds to ensure they meet their financial obligations.
On the Delta State Assembly’s achievements in the past one year, Emomotimi said the House received a total of 18 Bills made up of 15 Executive Bills and 3 Private members Bills, for which 9 were passed and 3 assented to, 8 are still undergoing considerations, while the last one was withdrawn by its sponsors.
ait.live reports that the House during the one year also considered and adopted several motions and resolutions, one of which was a motion condemning the rising incidents of open sex and use of illicit drugs among youths in Asaba and environs.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
