Just In: "If we don't go back to the Local Government, we are not ready to combat banditry and kidnapping" - Senator Orji Uzor Kalu

Today, 15th May, 2024, during plenary, six bills were passed for first reading, three others scaled second reading, two committee reports were approved in their efforts to provide the necessary legislation to address the challenges facing our country.

Two motions including the one on the "call on the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to resuscitate Local Government system in Nigeria," by Sen. Kawu Sumaila, were debated.

Reacting to the motion, the Chairman Senate Committee on Privatization, Senator Kalu debated that if we don't go back to the Local Government Areas, that we will have a head long battle with incessant banditry and kidnapping in the country.

The former Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Orji Uzor Kalu said, during his time as governor, Councilors graded roads, LGA Chairmen were important personalities, who controlled votes and were independent.

The ranking lawmaker further stated that nobody came to the State Capital to look for contracts or its equivalent, they were fully responsible for their office. Kalu, said, Chairmen had no need of going to Abuja to lobby for Contracts when they had everything in their local government council.

In supporting the motion, Sen. Kalu stated unequivocally that the only way to remedy the ugly situation is to return LGA's money hundred percent (%) and make sure those who are elected as Chairmen are those who have capacity with good records.

Speaking further, Kalu advised that Mr. President should help by implementing the prayers raised in the motion as moved by Senator Kawu, because the local government is an important tier of the government.

"Let me add my voice. If we don't go back to the Local Government, we are not ready to combat banditry and kidnapping. When I was Governor, Senator Abaribe is here. The Councilors used to give contracts to grade roads. The Chairman of a Local Government was a very important person, they controlled their votes. Nobody will come to Umuahia to look for anything. They were doing everything in the LGA. People that were trying to come to Abuja, would go to the LGAs to look for contracts. So, in supporting this motion and I am going to say that the only way we can solve what's happening in our country today, is to return LGA money, hundred percent (%) to the Local Government Council and improve the capacity of the people running LGA. The capacity must be as equivalent as anything. Like, we cannot just carry anyone and say run this local government. The Local Governments get three to four hundred million naira as monthly allocation. So, Mr. President, help us to implement what my colleague Kawu has already said in the motion, because we need the local government council authorities, please. Thank you so much." Kalu opined.

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