Thread by @iyaboawokoya

A very good morning to all my fellow Nigerians. On this segment of Constitution 101, I will be discussing the LGAs, their constitutional powers and responsibilities and this should give all of us our marching orders to demand accountability from the grassroots./1

1. The functions of a LGC is prescribed in the CFRN Fourth Schedule as follows:
(a) the consideration and the making of recommendations to a State commission on economic planning on the economic development of the State, particularly in relation to the specific LGA./ 2

2. (b) collection of rates, radio and television licences;
(c) establishment and maintenance of cemeteries, burial grounds and homes for the destitute or infirm;
(d) licensing of bicycles, trucks (other than mechanically propelled trucks), canoes, wheel barrows and carts;/3

4. Let us pause awhile on these functions (b-c). Rates include tenement rate, BUT note that if you pay Land Use Charge you are not supposed to pay Tenement Rate. If they charge you radio/television licenses it is legal. Most people scoff at these licenses but the CFRN permits it.

5. It is a marvel however why the LGAs have not solicited the State's help in having a more efficient collection system. Perhaps TV licenses etc can be collected along with some other regular payments that people make.

6. Back to functions of the LGCs. They are in charge of:
(d) licensing of bicycles, trucks (other than mechanically propelled trucks), canoes, wheel barrows & carts;
(e) establishment, maintenance & regulation of slaughter houses/slabs, markets, motor parks & public conveniences;

7. From d-e, we can see that markets & abattoirs , motor parks & public toilets are responsibilities of the LGCs & IMO, most of the filth & disorder that we have in the cities emanate from these public places. The lack of public toilets is a failure from LGCs. /8

8. The confusion in the motor parks & markets is a failure of administration of the LGCs. This is why we must all focus on who is elected as Chairmen of LGCs. Leadership that is credible must start at the grassroots. We must all get involved with politics at the local level.

9. More functions of the LGAs:
(f) construction and maintenance of roads, streets, street lightings, drains & other public highways, parks, gardens, open spaces, or such public facilities as may be prescribed from time to time by the House of Assembly of a State.
To be continued

10. We can now see why the FGN has kickstarted the financial independence/autonomy of LGAs by paying their share of the FAAC into their respective Bank Accounts. Historically the States have stifled the LGAs of funds that they need to develop their LGAs in line with their duties.

11. If the States would allow financial autonomy of the LGAs & nurture it and enforce transparency, development would reach the grassroots and there will be more even development across the States. We as stakeholders should help to enforce this autonomy & demand accountability.

12. Additional functions of LGAs are:
(g) naming of roads and streets & numbering of houses;
(h) provision & maintenance of public conveniences, sewage and refuse disposal;
(i) registration of all births, deaths and marriages;

13. There is so much opacity in our data in Nigeria & we can see why we have to strengthen the LGAs to be credible data collection centres. It is their responsibility to register births, deaths & marriages. With a baseline population data, updating will depend on LGAs database

14. Final functions of LGAs:
control and regulation of: out-door advertising; movement and keeping of pets of all description; shops and kiosks; restaurants, bakeries & other places for sale of food to the public; laundries, & licensing, regulation & control sale of liquor.

In conclusion, I maintain that the 1999 CFRN is not the problem or the handicap to our growth in Nigeria. Our handicap is in Governments in the 3 tier, not performing their functions for the people and the ignorance of the people that stops them from demanding accountability. End

Sorry for a key omission: LGAs shall also participate in the council in the Government of a State in the
(a) provision and maintenance of primary, adult & vocational education;
(b) the development of agriculture & natural resources, other than the exploitation of materials;/next

(c) the provision and maintenance of health services; and
(d) such other functions as may be conferred on a local government council by the House of Assembly of the State.

The LGA is responsible for Primary Education and must also be a provider of primary health care. Thank you