Osun Assembly passes bills to strengthen LG autonomy
The Osun State House of Assembly has successfully passed two pivotal bills into law.
On Tuesday, lawmakers gave their nod to the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (Amendment 1) Bill, 2024, and the Osun State Local Government Areas (Creation & Administration) (Amendment 7) Bill, 2024.
These legislative measures aim to bring state laws in line with the recent Supreme Court judgment that unequivocally supports the autonomy of local governments.
The newly passed Osun State Independent Electoral Commission Bill is designed to regulate and empower the state’s electoral body, ensuring the smooth conduct of elections across Osun’s 30 recognized local government areas.
A significant provision of this bill is the authority it grants to elected local government chairmen, enabling them to appoint chief administrators to oversee Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and six area councils within their jurisdictions. This is expected to streamline administrative processes and enhance local governance.
Complementing this, the Osun State Local Government Creation and Administration Bill further empowers elected local government chairmen.
It grants them the autonomy to make crucial appointments, facilitating effective administration and governance at the local level.
The appointed chief administrators will collaborate closely with the chairmen, ensuring that local councils operate efficiently and report back on their activities.
These legislative advancements signify a substantial step toward fortifying the autonomy and decision-making prowess of local governments in Osun State. The bills, now awaiting the assent of the state’s executive governor, are expected to accelerate the financial and administrative independence of local government bodies from the state government.
