Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormna Alia, has described the autonomy granted to local government councils as “sacrosanct” and a major relief to his administration, saying it has drastically reduced the burden of governance at the grassroots level.
Governor Alia made the remarks while addressing stakeholders during a meeting with newly elected local government chairmen in Makurdi on Wednesday.
“Local government autonomy is sacrosanct. It is a constitutional matter that must be respected. Since its full implementation in Benue State, it has significantly reduced my burden as Governor,” Alia stated.
The Governor explained that allowing local councils to function independently has enabled faster decision-making, improved responsiveness to local needs, and better management of resources at the grassroots. He noted that the policy has led to visible development in rural communities, particularly in areas of primary healthcare, basic education, agriculture, and rural roads.
Governor Alia commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strong support for local government autonomy across the country, describing it as one of the most impactful reforms in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
He warned against any attempts to undermine the autonomy of the third tier of government, urging the new council chairmen to justify the trust reposed in them by delivering tangible dividends of democracy to the people.
“Use this autonomy responsibly. The people are watching. Avoid waste, corruption, and unnecessary bureaucracy. Focus on delivering services that directly improve the lives of our citizens at the grassroots,” the Governor charged.
The meeting also served as an orientation for the newly elected chairmen on their roles, financial management, and alignment with the state government’s development agenda.