Lagos begins reformation of Local Government Councils

Lagos State Government has kicked-off the process of revamping the Local Government Councils in a bid to make them more responsive and responsible to the people. In the light of this, a committee on reformation of local government administration in the state has been inaugurated.

The 19-man Committee which has a two-week term of reference is expected to come up with recommendations on improved service delivery processes and procedures in the council areas.

Lagos state Head of Service, Mrs Shade Jaji pointed out that being the first point of contact, local governments determines the what, when and how citizens could benefit and enjoy the dividends of democracy through quality services delivery.

Service Delivery

She noted that measures taken in the past to position the councils for quality and effective service delivery had been unsuccessful.

''There is no gainsaying that for quite some time now, citizens have not felt much impact from their Local Governments. This is in spite of the huge human and material resources available in their domain for the development of their communities. In the attempt to find the missing link, Government tried the Community Development Association approach (CDAs); still without success. It is against this backdrop that His Excellency Governor Akinwunmi Ambode decided that there is an urgent need to address the administrative, governance structure and service delivery processes and procedure in Local Governments across the State,” she said.

Effectiveness and high productivity

Mrs Jaji expressed optimism that the planned reform would produce a stronger and a more efficient Local Government administrative System that has a greater ability to deliver the quantum and quality of services required in an emerging megacity like Lagos.

She also charged the committee to examine not only the structure of the council areas, but also those factors militating against their optimal performances.

''It would be recalled that the State Government in partnership with the UK Department for International Development (DFID) through its States Partnership for Accountability, Responsiveness and Capability (SPARC) programme embarked on reforms of the state public service for better service delivery. These reforms therefore need to cascade to the Local Government levels for even development and synergy in governance in the State,'' the Head of service noted.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Committee, Mr Nurudeen Ojora-Adejiyan described the constitution of the committee as a step in the right direction.

Ojora-Adejiyan who is a retired Permanent Secretary pledged that the committee would deliver the assignment within the stipulated time.

Terms of reference

The committee has the following terms of reference

Examine the Structure and current practice of Local Government Administration in Lagos State.

Examine the factors militating against optimum performance and quality service delivery by Local Governments in Lagos State.

Examine the modalities for instituting inter-service exchange of staff, knowledge and skills between the State and Local Government Services.

Examine the modalities for the establishment of an institutionalized Human Resource Capacity Development and Management policy for Local Government in Lagos State.

Other recommendations that would assist in enhancing service delivery in Local Government Administration in Lagos State.

The membership of the Committee consists of carefully selected Administrators and other professionals who have had the privilege and experience of working in the mainstream Civil Service and the Local Government Service.

For years, Governor Ambode had been in the service of local government and is believed to have a grasp of the workings of the third tier of government.