•As Ughelli Council boss, Jaro Egbo, presents N 17.6bn 2025 budget estimate for consideration

By Matthias Ogbagah

UGHELLI – The recent Supreme Court judgement regarding Local Government Area (LGA) autonomy in Nigeria signifies a pivotal change for local governance.

Historically, state governors have exerted authoritarian control over LGAs, effectively reducing them to mere extensions of state administrations.

This ruling holds the potential to restore the independence of local governments, revitalizing hopes for better governance and accountability in Nigeria.

It has been established that prior to this time, Nigerian state governors controlled local governments in an authoritarian manner. The local government, the third tier of government, has been reduced to a mere department under state governments, in clear violation of Section 7 of the Nigerian Constitution.
governments.

It would be recalled that on Thursday, July 11, 2024, the Nigerian Supreme Court, exercising its constitutional interpretation powers, ruled that states governors cannot control local government activities.

The Supreme Court also ruled that states governors cannot receive or control local government funds. This ruling effectively bans the operation of Transition Committees, which has become commonplace in many states.

Additionally, state governors will no longer control local government funds. This ruling reaffirms the autonomy of local governments in Nigeria and aims to boost grassroots development.

Meanwhile, the executive chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, on Thursday, February 6, 2025 presented the council’s 2025 budget estimate of N17,605,816,542.12 to the Legislative Arm for consideration and approval.

Tagged “Budget of Meaningful Development,” Egbo described the fiscal plan as a strategic tool aimed at fostering progress, with a strong focus on infrastructure, youth and women empowerment, sustainable health programs, and revenue improvement.

According to the chairman, the capital expenditure will fund people-oriented projects across the 20 wards in the local government, ensuring that developmental efforts reach every part of the council.

Egbo emphasized the need to broaden the council’s revenue base by plugging financial leakages and enhancing internally generated revenue (IGR).

He assured stakeholders that due process, transparency, and accountability would guide budget implementation to ensure effective service delivery.

Reaffirming his administration’s focus on youth and women empowerment, Egbo highlighted it as a key strategy for reducing unemployment and crime within the local government.

He also stressed the importance of peace and security in protecting lives and property in Ughelli North.

Expressing appreciation for the cordial working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of the local government, Egbo called for sustained collaboration to achieve the administration’s development agenda, in line with the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

Handing over a copy of the budget estimates to the Legislative House, the chairman urged councillors to approve and pass it into appropriation bylaws.

He assured them of his administration’s commitment to the welfare of the people and called on all stakeholders to support the government’s vision for greater socio-economic development in Ughelli North.