The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Benjamin Kalu has said that
escalating security challenges facing the country demand innovative
solutions and candid discussions.
He explained that the meeting with the relevant stakeholders was to discuss on critical national discourse on Nigeria ‘s Security Challenges and good Governance at the local Government Level.
He stated that the National Assembly, particularly the
House of Representatives, recognized the gravity of this situation and is
firmly committed to explore all viable options that will lead to a safer and
more secure Nigeria for its citizens, especially at the local government
level.
In his words, “Nigeria’s federal system of government, characterized by the distribution of
responsibilities, powers, and resources among the Federal, State, and
Local Governments, is akin to a pyramid. At the base of this pyramid are
the Local Government Councils (LGCs), entrusted with the crucial task of
delivering basic municipal functions and ensuring that governance reaches
the grassroots.
“They are the first line of defense in our governance
architecture, tackling communal, local, and grassroots challenges.
“The local governments envisioned as the bedrock of our democracy, were meant to be the first responders to the needs of the people.
“Think of them as the foot soldiers in the fight for development, the ones ensuring that the fruits of our independence reached every corner of the nation.
” However, history often takes unexpected turns, like a once-mighty warrior
whose shield has grown rusty, our local governance system has faltered.
“The gaps in service delivery are wide, and the very people who need them
most our rural citizens are suffering. This, in turn, has fueled social
unrest and violence, creating fertile ground for those who seek to exploit
instability.
“As many political analysts and development experts have noted, the near absence or complete breakdown of governance at the local level has
created ungoverned spaces.
“These spaces have been exploited by non-state actors, making life increasingly unbearable for our rural populace.
“This is a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform and revitalization at the grassroots level.
“Efforts to address these issues through constitutional amendments by the
7th, 8th, and 9th National Assemblys were not successful. Various reasons
have been cited for these failures, but what remains clear is that the
situation has continued to deteriorate without effective alternative
measures being put in place.
“The debate on state police, a topic on many minds, is a positive step. But
security is just one piece of the puzzle. A strong local government, delivering essential services and fostering a sense of community, is the best defense against any threat.
“This national dialogue is our opportunity to come together, just like our founding fathers did. Let us identify the challenges that cripple our local governments, from inadequate funding to a lack of autonomy.
“Let us learn from other nations, those who have successfully empowered their grassroots.
“The broad objective of today’s national dialogue is to provide a platform for
critical stakeholders to reflect on the governance framework at the grassroots, identify key challenges, and make recommendations on addressing these issues.
“Specifically, we aim to discuss the bottlenecks inhibiting effective governance at the local government level, ascertain the extent to which weak governance contributes to insecurity and other developmental challenges, galvanize public action for improved governance and service delivery at the subnational level leveraging ongoing reforms like the debate on state police and the constitution amendment exercise, and build national consensus on the most appropriate strategies for strengthening local government governance.
“We must be bold. We must be innovative. And most importantly, we must be united.
“Only then can we revitalize local governance and ensure that every Nigerian, no matter where they live, feels the embrace of a caring and responsive government.
“The partners to Engage, Reform, and Learn (PERL), funded
by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office of the UK (FCDO). Your support and collaboration are invaluable in our collective efforts to engineer good governance and security across Nigeria.
