LG AUTONOMY WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT – LAGOS GOVT
The Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) Chairman, Hon. Kamal Bayewu, stated that Lagos State has already established the idea of local government autonomy and reaffirmed its crucial role as the impetus for grassroots development.
In order to ensure that local authorities can effectively meet the needs of their communities, Bayewu pointed out that the idea, which has long been supported by the state, permits the effective allocation of resources to crucial regions. As a result, he clarified, sustainable development has been greatly promoted throughout the state.
Speaking at the LGSC and Office of Local Governments, Establishments, and Training (OLGE&T) Joint Retreat in 2024, he pointed out that the state’s Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) are already promoting sustainable development, which is enhancing the quality of life for citizens on a local level.
Bayewu went on to say that the Commission needed the retreat in order to assess its previous actions, pinpoint areas in which it needed to improve, and formulate reasonable plans for the following year. In order to guarantee that workers in local government are in line with the state government’s goals, he emphasized the significance of ongoing staff training.
He claims that the LGSC leadership has put in place systems to keep an eye on the prudent use of resources in LGAs and LCDAs in order to satisfy residents’ expectations while abiding by financial and public service guidelines.
Mrs. Abosede George, Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Service Commission, stated that the Commission is dedicated to embracing new ideas and making sure that grassroots development adheres to global best practices.
restating the fact that the retreat provided a chance to consider the unique problems that various councils face and to come up with practical answers. George emphasized that the retreat offers a forum for evaluating the Commission’s previous actions in order to offer practical answers and guarantee that staff members are on course to meet predetermined objectives.
She further pointed out that the Commission has been proactive in developing strategies to improve service delivery across the state’s local governments. “We are keen on enhancing the capacity of local governments to meet the evolving needs of their communities. This retreat will serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas, ensuring that local councils are well-positioned to implement innovative policies for the benefit of their residents”, she said.
The Office of Local Governments, Establishments, and Training’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Bibilomo Olushekun, also spoke and emphasized the need of capacity building for guaranteeing the efficiency of local government administration.
She mentioned how important it has been for local government employees to have frequent training so that their operations are in line with the goals of the state government. These training programs, in her opinion, are intended to give staff of local governments the tools they need to effectively promote grassroots development.
Olushekun also underscored the importance of the retreat in fostering collaboration between various local government entities. “Our goal is to ensure that every local government in Lagos State is equipped to handle the demands of their communities while adhering to the highest standards of governance” she stated.