By Mercy Gadia Adi
The House of Representatives has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the capacity of Local Government Councils to enact effective bye-laws and achieve full autonomy, describing them as the true engines of grassroots development.
Chairman of the House Committee on Delegated Legislation, Rep. Richard Bamisile, made the call during a two-day national retreat and interactive workshop in Abuja, themed “Enhancing Legislative Capacity of Local Government Councils and the Review of the Vertical Revenue Allocation Formula.”
The retreat, organised in collaboration with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Bagama & Networks Ltd, brought together local government chairmen and stakeholders from across the federation.
Bamisile said the initiative was designed to strengthen the bye-law-making process at the grassroots, noting that effective legislation must reflect the needs and aspirations of local communities.
“To succeed in legislating effectively at the grassroots level, we must work together in unison, leveraging our collective strengths and resources,” he stated.
He explained that the sessions were tailored to equip local councils with strategies to create impactful bye-laws, promote accountability, and strengthen service delivery. He also stressed that ALGON’s input would be vital in shaping parliamentary efforts to review the Vertical Revenue Allocation Formula for fairer distribution of resources.
On the issue of local government autonomy, Bamisile emphasized that democracy in Nigeria cannot flourish without empowering local councils.
“Democracy would not flourish without autonomy for local governments. Chairmen are closer to the people and can secure their communities better than governors. Autonomy will ensure that Nigerians enjoy true dividends of democracy,” he said.
The lawmaker also clarified misconceptions surrounding constituency projects, stressing that members of the National Assembly do not receive funds directly.
“No lawmaker is given money to execute constituency projects. What we do is input projects into the budget, while ministries and agencies award contracts to qualified contractors. Legislators are not contractors,” he explained.
Bamisile further urged Nigerians to be patient with the federal government, noting that the nation’s challenges cannot be solved overnight.
“The state of decadence in this country has lasted over four or five decades. It won’t be fixed in four years, but with bold leadership, things will change,” he added.
In his remarks, President of ALGON, Mr. Bello Lawal, hailed the retreat as a unique opportunity to give local governments a stronger voice in Nigeria’s fiscal structure.
“I am convinced that the outcomes of this retreat will strengthen intergovernmental relations, deepen legislative harmony, and expand the fiscal space for grassroots governance. Together, we shall move closer to the Nigeria of our dreams, where every community enjoys basic services and every child has access to quality education, healthcare, and food security,” Lawal said.
He described the workshop as not just a learning exercise but a renewal of commitment to grassroots service, urging participants to bring bold ideas and a strong sense of responsibility to the deliberations.
The retreat featured seven expert papers and wide-ranging discussions aimed at strengthening the legislative and administrative capacities of local government councils nationwide.