The Lagos State House of Assembly is preparing to replace the existing 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) with newly designated Administrative Areas.
This was part of the discussion at a public hearing for the proposed “Bill for a law to provide for the local government system, establishment, and administration, and to consolidate all laws on local government administration.”
President Bola Tinubu created the 37 LCDAs in 2003 when he was governor of Lagos State.
The speaker of the assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, represented by Mojisola Meranda, his deputy, noted that the bill is a key step towards improving accountability within the state.
He said, “This bill has passed the preliminary stages, and the house is hereby subjecting it to public appraisal in our transparent convention.
“At this stage, we gather public observations and thoughts to reflect on them in the next stage of the bill.”
Obasa added that the bill, once passed, would allow LGs to function optimally, adhering to the rule of law and separation of powers.
He added, “The bill clearly outlines the functions of the chairman, vice-chairman, legislative council, and other local government functionaries.
“It also emphasizes the creation of 37 area administrative councils, in addition to the original 20 local governments listed.
“These councils would be headed by area administrative secretaries, appointed with House approval.”
The bill, which outlines the structure of local governance, states that Lagos will operate through democratically elected LGAs.
According to the bill, Lagos State will recognize 20 LGAs as outlined in the 1999 Constitution. It follows a July 11 Supreme Court ruling that granted financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 LGAs.
The ruling also stipulated that only democratically elected councils can access federal funds.
The bill stated, “As from the commencement of this law, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) shall conduct elections into the twenty (20) local government councils as recognized by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered).”
It also provides for each council to have its headquarters in designated locations while assuming the duties of the former LCDAs.
The councils will be funded by the LGs under which they operate and will have the power to delegate functions to their administrative bodies.
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The bill grants the governor the authority to suspend any chairman, vice-chairman, or political appointee, with reinstatement possible after notifying the assembly.
If passed into law, the bill would repeal the Local Government Administration Law of 2015 and its 2016 amendment.
