Lagos Constitutes Committee for Local Govt Reform

The Lagos State Government monday constituted a 19-man committee, which it said, would carry out comprehensive reform of local government administration in the state in order to meet the demand of its residents at the grassroots.

The state government initiated the local government reform about a fortnight after the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode realigned the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) with a view to improving service delivery.

The state Head of Service, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, inaugurated the 19-man committee monday, noting that the aim was to reposition the local government administration to boost the socio economic development and corporate governance in the state.

She, who named members of the committee to include Nurudeen Ojora-Adejiyan (Chairman), Mrs. Regina Obasa and Mr. Lawal Pedro among others, said the committee “has only two weeks to carry out its mandate and submit its report.

Jaji explained the centrality of local government administration to meeting the aspiration of people, noting that the local council “is the third tier of government and the closest to the people at the grassroots.

She, however, lamented that there “is no gain saying that for quite some time now, citizens have not felt much impact from their local governments. This is in spite of the huge human and material resources available in their domain for the development of their communities.”

She explained that in a bid to address the challenges the past administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola adopted the Community Development Associations (CDAs) approach, though little or no success.

Jaji added that due to the failure of the CDA approach, the state governor decided “to reform the administrative procedures, governance structure and service delivery processes in local governments across the state.

She therefore said with this committee, the government aimed “to produce a stronger and more efficient local government administrative system that has a greater ability to deliver the quantum and quality of services required in an emerging megacity like Lagos.”

She explained the committee term of reference, noting that the committee “will examine the structure and current practice of local government administration in the state. The committee will examine the factors militating against optimum performance and quality service delivery by local governments in Lagos State.

“The committee will examine the modalities for instituting inter-service exchange of staff, knowledge and skills between the state and local government Services. It will also examine the modalities for the establishment of an institutionalized human resource capacity development and management policy for local government in the state.

“The committee is expected to make other recommendations that will assist in enhancing service delivery in local government administration in Lagos State,” the head of service explained.

In a response after the committee was constituted, the chairman of the committee, Ojora-Adejiyan assured that the committee would work effectively to ensure that the report is delivered within the stipulated date.