In compliance with the Supreme Court judgment granting full financial autonomy to local government areas, Governor Abdullahi Sule has signed a bill into law establishing the Nasarawa State Local Government Law 2024.

Governor Sule signed the new local government law at a ceremony at the Government House on Monday.

With the signing of the new local government law, the Governor announced the abolishing of the state/local government account, aimed at enhancing financial autonomy for local government councils by allowing them to manage their resources directly and fund essential services for communities.

In a speech shortly after signing the law, Governor Sule described the event as significant milestone not only in his administration’s governance framework but also that it represents his unwavering commitment to uphold principles of democracy, transparency, accountability, and the rule of law at the local government level.

“As we embark upon this new chapter, it is crucial that this legislation that we have ascented to today is a demonstration of our deliberate effort to fully comply with the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming local government autonomy. This judgment has set a precedence that we as a state are committed to consolidating and honoring the law of our land,” he said.

He emphasized that by enacting the new local government law, his administration is taking decisive steps towards empowering local government councils and freeing them from the other local laws that would contradict the Supreme Court decision and ensuring that they operate independently and effectively in serving local communities.

While highlighting some of the features of the new law, the Governor pointed out that the Nasarawa State Local Government Law 2024 has repealed the Nasarawa State Local Government Law 2018 but still retained the three-year tenure for elected local government chairmen to enable them focus on long term development initiatives and community engagement.

“Furthermore, I am pleased to announce the abolishion of the joint account between the state and government. This critical change will enhance the financial autonomy of our local government councils, allowing them to manage their resources directly and fund essential services for our communities. This approach aligns with our commitment to fiscal responsibility and ensures that funds allocated for local government reach their intended destinations without unnecessary delays or bureaucratic hurdles,” he stated.

He also announced a change in nomenclature for development areas in the state henceforth to be known as Area Administrative Councils (AACs), with the heads and other officials of the AACs to be appointed soon by the Governor as provided by the new law, after confirmation by the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.

“The council is expected to be funded by the respective local government councils with counterpart funding from the state IGR. This innovative structure aims to streamline governance and enhance service delivery at the grassroots levels, ensuring that our citizens receive the support they need especially in the area of security, which is a panacea for sustainable development at the grassroots level,” he added.

This is just as Governor Sule announced the establishment of the State Economic Council to be chaired by the State Deputy Governor, aimed at coordinating economic strategies and ensuring that local government councils align with the overall development goals of Nasarawa State.

He used the opportunity of the event to show appreciation to all those that contributed towards development and passage of the new local government law, particularly the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, principal officers and members of the Assembly, State Auditor-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Labaran Magaji and his team, as well as the office of the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State.

“Your dedication to public service and your commitment to the welfare of our state are throughly commendable. Together we have the opportunity to build a stronger and more inclusive Nasarawa State where every citizen has a voice and the chance to thrive,” he said.

Also speaking, Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, commended the synergy existing between the executive and legislative arms of government.

Earlier in an introductory remarks, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Labaran Magaji, said the Nasarawa State Local Government Law 2024 appropriately encapsulates the purpose and intent of the government concerning the structure, composition and finances of local government councils in the state.

The Attorney-General added that the new law also aligned seamlessly with the recent Supreme Court judgment regarding the local government autonomy, reinforcing the government’s pledge to empower these councils to serve the citizens effectively.