President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, expressed his appreciation for the recent Supreme Court ruling that granted fiscal autonomy to the 774 Local Government Areas across the country. While acknowledging the positive implications of this decision for grassroots development, he highlighted a pertinent issue regarding the perceived marginalization of Bayelsa State due to its limited number of local government areas.
In a candid interview with Vanguard in Yenagoa, Okaba raised concerns about the imbalance created by Bayelsa having only eight local government areas, which falls short of the constitutional requirement of ten councils for a state. He emphasized the need for a fair distribution of resources and opportunities among states to ensure equitable development and effective governance at the local level.
While endorsing the move towards granting financial autonomy to local councils, Okaba stressed the importance of also ensuring their administrative autonomy. He advocated for placing individuals of integrity in leadership positions within the councils to facilitate transparent and accountable governance that prioritizes the well-being of the people.
According to Okaba, granting direct allocations to local councils and empowering them to manage their budgets and deliver essential services such as education, healthcare, sanitation, revenue collection, and infrastructure projects would significantly enhance grassroots development. He underscored the pivotal role of local governance in fostering sustainable progress and strengthening democratic principles within communities.
Moreover, Okaba pointed out disparities in the allocation of funds to local governments based on their numerical strength, citing the example of Bayelsa receiving a significantly lower amount compared to states with a higher number of local government areas like Kano. He called for a more balanced and inclusive approach to resource distribution to address these discrepancies and promote economic equity across all states.
In light of the challenges faced by states with fewer local government areas, Okaba emphasized the need for a systematic reevaluation of the current financial framework to ensure a more just and equitable distribution of funds. He advocated for a fairer allocation model that aligns with the constitutional principles of fairness and justice, safeguarding the interests of all states, regardless of their size or population.
