By Fatima Ndagi
The House of Representatives has pledged to boost the legislative capacity of Local Government Councils to make bye-laws that directly impact grassroots development.
Chairman of the House Committee on Delegated Legislation, Rep. Richard Bamisile, made the commitment yesterday in Abuja at the opening of a national retreat on local government lawmaking and revenue allocation.
The retreat, organised in partnership with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Bagama & Networks Ltd, focused on “Enhancing Legislative Capacity of Local Government Councils and the Review of the Vertical Revenue Allocation Formula.”
Bamisile said the initiative would improve the quality of bye-laws across the country and ensure that grassroots legislation reflects the needs and aspirations of the people. He stressed that empowering councils to legislate effectively was key to accountability, stronger local governance, and better living standards.
He noted that the sessions would also draw from ALGON’s experience in reviewing the Vertical Revenue Allocation Formula of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), adding that such inputs would guide parliament in ensuring fairer distribution of resources.
ALGON President, Bello Lawal, described the retreat as an opportunity to give councils a stronger voice in Nigeria’s fiscal system. He pledged that ALGON would continue to push for constitutional empowerment of local governments to deliver on citizens’ expectations.
“The outcomes of this retreat will deepen intergovernmental relations and expand the fiscal space for grassroots governance,” Lawal said, urging participants to bring bold ideas and a strong sense of duty to the discussions.