From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
The Clerk, Kano State House of Assembly and Head of Legislative Service, Garba Bako Gezawa has backed the clamour for autonomy for local governments, noting that autonomy for the third tier of government will bring about an end to insecurity and other woes bedevilling the country.
He made the remark on Tuesday at a one-day media engagement meeting on the proposed Local government administrative and financial autonomy, held in Kano state.
The Clerk who was represented by his aide, Muhd Lawal Tijjani noted that the incessant insecurity in the country has been linked to non-functionality of the local government councils across the country.
According to him, “it is a known fact that the local government system which is the closest to the people and saddled to take governance to the remote parts of the state has been neglected.
“The incessant insecurity we are witnessing today have been largely attributed to the non-functionality of the Local Government councils across the country.
“Consequently, it is my firm belief that passing the Local Government autonomy bill into law will not only change the present narratives of the Local Government system in the state but also help enhance the socio-economic viability of the people and addresses some of the insecurity challenges in the state,” he said.
Gezawa however expressed the readiness and commitment of the assembly towards attaining success in the struggle.
On his part, a former lecturer at Department of Mass Communication in Bayero University Kano, Dr Maude Rabiu Gwadabe has tasked journalists on consistency in reporting for effectiveness.
Dr Gwadabe explained that for any report to make maximum impact, there were some points to be considered.
The former lecturer advised journalists to be strategic and consider good timing for their reports.
According to him, “For maximum impact of reporting, journalists must be very responsible in reporting issues.”
Mr Gwadabe said the bill if passed into law will bring about a new dawn for Nigerians.
“The Local Government autonomy bill is that which has been passed in the National Assembly both the Senate and House of Representatives. Now, because it concerns the constitutional amendment, we need about two-thirds of the state houses of Assembly. So far, nine out of the 36 states have passed the bill.
Earlier, the State Partnership facilitator for Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn, PERL, Yunusa Hamza said the essence of the meeting was to support the media partners to see to the need to take a lead and champion the call for Kano to pass the bill into law and join the league of other states who have passed the law in order to reverse current situation of the LGAs.
