Chairman of the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, Kamal Bayewu says inspite of financial autonomy granted to them, local governments will still need collaboration with state governments if they want to succeed with people-oriented projects in their councils.
Bayewu, a former two-term chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA in Lagos state made the remarks during an interview on Lagos Television (LTV).
According to him, the current revenue sharing formula is skewed against local governments as they earn a paltry 20 percent while the federal and state governments get 52 percent and 26 percent respectively.
“Financial autonomy is right but how much are we talking about? Even with local government autonomy, you still need the collaboration of the state because the financial structure is skewed against the local governments. The federal government is earning about 52.68 percent of revenue, the state is earning 26.72 percent and the local government is earning 20.60 per cent. Divide that 22 percent by 774 local government, so how much is coming to that local government?”.
He also heaped praises on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the various projects being sited in local governments across the state, saying it would have been impossible for many of the chairmen to execute the projects given the enormity and financial muscle needed.
“Whatever project that is being done in Lagos are situated at the local government. We are thanking Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for what he is doing for the local governments in Lagos. Look at the roads he did in Ojo Local Government especially theOld Ojo (Phase 1) Road ”.
“I can tell you, the chairman of Oriade was rolling on the ground thanking Mr Governor because that is a project that she might not be able to do even if she has to commit all the financial muscle of the local government into it. But that was done by the state. Now, General Hospital is being sited in Ojo and there are so many projects like that across the state”.
“So, what we are saying is give about 50 percent to the local government. The state and the federal can share the rest”.
Bayewu also commended President Bola Tinubu for granting financial autonomy to local governments.
“He (Tinubu)has taken what we are doing in Lagos State up to the federal level so that everybody can buy into it. I do know that it is difficult at times for people to buy into change but it is the ultimate change”.
