CITING the need for better services, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has restated the call for financial autonomy for local government system in the country.
The President of NULGE in Anambra State, Mr. Jerry Nnubia, who made the call Wednesday in Awka, stated that there was need for an amendment in the constitution to enable the officials take full charge in the local government system.
He said the union had been championing the struggle and reiterated its views for local government autonomy and abolition of joint account at the public hearing for the review of the 1999 Constitution.
Nnubia noted that for the third tier of government, which, according to him, was the foundation of grassroots development, needs to be strengthened. It should be empowered to avoid turning it into an appendage of the state government.
The NULGE chief expressed concern over the non-conduct of council polls in the state for more than 10 years, which did not encourage development in the rural areas.
He recalled that council polls were last conducted in the state after the expiration of office of the elected officials in 1999, adding that it does not augur well for Anambra, as he called for conduct of the polls soonest.
"It is a sad commentary, especially when the constitution states that administration or governance should be through democratic process. For the past 10 years elections have not been conducted in Anambra State and NULGE is worried and concerned", he said.
He added: "The development hampers initiative among appointed officials because they only work on the limits of the programmes of the principals who appointed them".
