Umar Dalhat Muaz
The federal government has confirmed that none of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas have been allocated a budget for the year 2024.
This revelation highlights a significant challenge to the autonomy and effectiveness of local governments in addressing poverty within their communities.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyelede stated that the absence of budgetary allocations severely limits the ability of local governments to fulfill their constitutional mandates.
Oyelede stressed the importance of budgetary allocations in enabling local governments to provide essential services such as infrastructure, healthcare, and education to their residents.
He pointed out the need for transparent municipal budgeting similar to that of South Africa, adding that clear budgets and development plans are essential for effective planning and implementation, particularly in addressing multi-dimensional poverty.
