The Chairman of Gombe Local Government Area, Barrister Sani Haruna, recently addressed the issue of local government autonomy in Nigeria, emphasizing that such autonomy must be accompanied by well-defined priorities for effective implementation. He pointed out that local governments often have varying challenges such as overstaffing and misplaced priorities that can hinder their performance when granted autonomy. Haruna believes that without addressing these specific issues, simply granting more power to local governments will not automatically lead to improvements in infrastructure and services.

Haruna advocates for the establishment of four key priority areas that all 774 local governments in Nigeria should focus on, suggesting that this approach could limit the power struggles that tend to undermine the effectiveness of local administrations. By concentrating on thematic areas that address the diverse needs of local governments, it may be possible to create a more performance-driven structure at the grassroots level. This would not only improve the operational efficiency of local governments but also ensure a more equitable distribution of resources across the board.

Overall, the Gombe LG chair’s insights shed light on the complexities of local government operations in Nigeria and the necessity for thoughtful reforms that prioritize capacity building and financial integrity. His remarks underscore the importance of a strategic approach to governance reforms, which could lead to tangible improvements in public service delivery and community development across the nation.