Osun NULGE Commends Oyetola, Lawmakers for passing LG Autonomy Into Law

The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Osun State chapter has commended Governor Gboyega Oyetola and speaker, Osun state House of Assembly for passing Local Government Autonomy Bill into Law.

According to the union, Nigeria’s hydra-headed challenges of Kidnapping, killings, unemployment, hunger, insurgency and drug abuse being perpetrated by some youths would be tackled with functional and responsive local government system.

These are made known by the NULGE President, Comrade Dr. Ogungbangbe Nathaniel Kehinde, at SEC meeting held on Tuesday, at Olowogboyega NULGE Secretariat, Oke Ijetu, Ilesa Garage Osogbo

The NULGE President according to a statement signed by the Information Officer, Olumide Felix, posited that local governments all over the world were regarded as development centres, regretting that the springboards had been destroyed by state governors due to selfishness and personal aggrandisement.

He commended Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the members of Osun State House of Assembly for listening to the yearnings and groaning of the people of the state by passing Local Government Autonomy Bill into Law.

He, however, admonished other state governors who are yet to sign the bill to do so in the interest of the masses.

The Osun NULGE president said: “Out of the thirty-six (36) States in Nigeria, only Ten (10) State have passed Local Government Autonomy Bill into Law. These ten States include Abia, Kogi, Katsina, Ogun, Delta, Akwa-Ibom, Edo, Anambra, Osun and Enugu.

“On this note, I, Comrade Ogungbangbe Nathaniel Kehinde on behalf of the entire Local Government Workers in the State of Osun say a big thank you to the State Governors and entire members of the House of Assembly in these ten States.

“A special thank you goes to the Osun State Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Isiaka Oyetola, the Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Timothy Owoeye and all the members of Osun State House of Assembly for listening to the yearnings and groanings of the Masses.

However, the Sec-in-session condemned Lagos and Ekiti State Governments for not supporting Local Government Autonomy saying that their refusal to pass same into Law is an act that is anti development.

“We are also using this opportunity to admonish other State Government/House of Assembly Members who are yet to pass Local Government Autonomy into Bills to do so in the interest of the masses, because it is when this is done that: level of rural poverty and rural unemployment will be reduced; the problem of insecurity can be tackled at grass-root level; vis-à-vis kidnapping, banditry and robbery can be tackled at the grass-root level;
incomes of the rural people can be improved.

“The grass-roots communities can be integrated into the National Socio Economic and Political Development through effective participation in their own affairs; quality of lives can be improved through the provision of basic necessities such as good road network, portable water, supply electricity supply, health care services, schools etc.

“To this extent, we are sounding a note of warning to all the State who are hell bent not to pass the Local Government Autonomy Bill to do so in the interest of the masses.

“For NULGE is also against any political party that is against Local Government Autonomy. We will vote them out of power because your refusal to sign this Bill into Law means you are against the Masses.

“NULGE will canvass against any political party or individual holding any political office. NULGE will work against you, we will ensure that the masses do not vote in your favour. It is crystal clear that the States antagonizing Local Government Autonomy are against the well being of the masses.

“The masses are tired of voting the antagonist of the well being of the masses into power. Enough is enough. Enough of side lining the masses from the National Cake. Enough of sabotaging the masses. Enough of suffering the masses. Enough of poverty at the grass roots level, enough of insecurity, enough of unemployment for the masses.”