Lagos LGAs have long enjoyed autonomy – Commissioner

By Adeola Ogunrinde

The Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mr. Bolaji Robert, has declared that local governments in the state have operated autonomously long before the Supreme Court’s July 2024 ruling affirming the financial and administrative independence of local councils nationwide.

Speaking on Thursday during a ministerial press briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja, to mark the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, Robert emphasized that the concept of local government autonomy is not new to Lagos.

“The issue of Local Government autonomy is alien to the government of Lagos State. This is because the local governments are getting their money. We do not owe any local government,” he said. “This is the reason why our local governments are ahead of others in the country in terms of infrastructure such as roads and healthcare.”

Robert explained that council chairmen in Lagos have unrestricted access to their federal allocations, and that the state government does not interfere with local government funds. “You can carry out your investigation. As far as we are concerned, the state has nothing to do with local government funds right from the inception of this administration,” he added.

On traditional leadership, the commissioner revealed that 50 traditional rulers had been installed under the Sanwo-Olu administration, including 17 first-class Obas. He noted that the process began with the installation of HRM Omogbolahan Lawal, the Oniru of Iru Kingdom, and that more installations are underway.

Robert also disclosed that the state government paid out N775.07 million in insurance benefits to the families of 271 deceased staff of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and local governments as part of efforts to support bereaved families.

“In the year under review, the Ministry processed 85 approvals for capital projects for LGs and LCDAs in the state. To promote adherence to due process, 14 circulars were issued to regulate council activities,” he said.

He further noted that the ministry issued 43 special licenses and 12 church licenses for marriage, and supplied 176 marital documents to local councils for the conduct of marriages in the state.