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The Labour Party (LP) has welcomed the Supreme Court decision granting financial autonomy to Local Government Councils in the 36 States of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory.
National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, said the Supreme Court judgement has removed a yoke from the necks of local council thus giving them greater freedom to initiate and complete projects which will reduce suffering at the grass roots.
He told Vanguard in a telephone interview yesterday that, councillors now owe their constituents a duty to hold local government chairmen accountable by ensuring prudent management of their resources.
Ifoh said, “It (judgement) is a welcome development. What Nigerians now expect is for local governments to take up the challenge of their new found independence to ensure prudent management of public funds that will be given to them to make the lives of ordinary citizens meaningful.
“Local government councils must now more than ever before become accountable and responsible by providing services that will ameliorate the sufferings of the people at the grassroots.”