Local Govt Autonomy: Senator Mohamed makes case for accountability
…lauds JAMB for London exams
By Chukwudi Nwabuko in London
The chairman senate committee on tertiary institutions and TETFUND, senator Dandutse Muntari Mohamed has described the supreme court’s decision granting autonomy to local governments in Nigeria as a landmark and worthy of praise.
He said that the onus is now on the people to ensure that the local government chairmen are held accountable for the resources put at their disposal because of the autonomy granted them from the control of governors.
The chairman who represents Katsina south in the senate spoke in London at the weekend as leader of senate and House of Representatives team that was in London to monitor the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Examination (JAMB).
The examination which had 20 candidates comprising of 16 UTME and four direct entry candidates was held at the Nigerian High Commission office in London.
Speaking to a select journalists shortly after the examination, Senator Mohamed who spoke alongside House committee chairman on Basic Education Examination Bodies, Honourable Oforiji Abonsizibe Oboku explained that the judgement was a relief to governors as they will no longer be held accountable for the management of local government’s resources, adding “before now there has been a lot of issues involving most of the governors in terms of management of council funds. So now chairmen of local councils will be accountable”.
Senator Mohamed called for enabling law to ensure that council chairmen are accountable for the increased revenue that would be available to them. He also enjoined the people in the council areas to be assertive and demand that resources are appropriately channelled by council leaders.
“If there is proper accountability and responsibility, serving as local government chairman is just as serving as a governor because you will serve your people judiciously and the people will be responsible and ensure resources are channelled toward their needs”, he stated.
Senator Mohamed explained that the Supreme Court’s ruling would deepen political participation.
On their mission to London, Senator Mohamed said it was to witness the conduct of the JAMB examination as to encourage more Nigerians to avail themselves of the opportunity to study in Nigeria adding that government was committed to make education affordable to all.
Speaking earlier with newsmen, Hon. Oboku who represents Yenagoa/Kolokuma-Opokuma federal constituency commended JAMB for organizing the examination which he described as commendable.
“We are here to encourage our people to take this exam very important so that next year we would have up to 100 candidates participating in the exams.
Also speaking, the director Information Technology Services, Mr Fabian Okoro said that for the past 20 years JAMB has been conducting the examination in the Europe.
On the rationale behind conducting the examination in London, Mr Okoro said “we are giving Nigerians and other nationals who may want to experience education in Nigeria the opportunity”.
“Most nations open their countries to other nationals. The opportunity given to Nigerians here-whether they were born here or raised here, many of them still want to experience life in Nigeria because you can’t do away with your roots”, he stressed
