The Committee on Reformation of Local Government Administration in Lagos State says major reforms are needed at the local government level.
The committee explained that the reforms would reposition local government system for a better service delivery and ensure even development in the state.
The committee was inaugurated by the state government to examine the structure of the local government administration and factors militating against optimum performance, among others.
Speaking during the presentation of the report of the committee to the Head of Service, Mrs. Shade Jaji, on Friday, the Chairman of the committee, Mr. Nurudeen Ojora-Adejiyan, said the members of the committee discovered that the local government system had become a shadow of itself, grappling with structural, funding and administrative problems.
Ojora-Adeniyan said the committee was convinced that a review of local government administration law and other laws regulating the operations of local government areas in the state was needed to make the third tier of government effective again.
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He said, “A functional template to assess the performance based on available resources and context of operations should be evolved for the local government system.
“The local governments should, as a matter of policy, involve the community development associations and other stakeholders in the planning and execution of policies and projects, thus ensuring that the yearnings and aspirations of the people are met.
“Furthermore, to curb fraudulent acts in the local government system, strict sanctions on any officials and local government personnel found culpable should be adopted.
Ojora said the committee consulted “critical stakeholders” to carry out its task and come up with the recommendations.
He thanked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for letting the committee members serve the state.
Receiving the report on behalf of the government, Jaji said the governor understood the place of the local government areas in governance and would ensure that everyone was brought on board.
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