Governor Hyacinth Alia says Benue has taken the lead on local government autonomy. He has now called on other state governors to follow the same path as direct allocations take effect across Nigeria.
MAKURDI, BENUE STATE — Governor Hyacinth Alia has said Benue State is leading in compliance with local government autonomy and urged other state governors to fully implement the policy. Alia made the remarks while speaking on the impact of direct allocations to local government councils, according to an official statement from the Benue State Government.
The governor said Benue has embraced the implementation of local government autonomy in line with existing legal provisions. According to him, direct allocations have strengthened governance at the grassroots by giving local councils greater responsibility over their finances and development projects. He added that the policy has improved accountability and service delivery in the state.
Alia urged governors across the country to support the implementation of local government autonomy instead of resisting the policy. He said stronger local government administration would promote development in rural communities and ensure that resources reach the people they are intended to serve. The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency in managing public funds.
The push for local government autonomy gained momentum after the Supreme Court affirmed the financial independence of local government councils across Nigeria. The judgment directed that allocations from the Federation Account should go directly to local government councils, a move aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and reducing financial bottlenecks.
The development means more states may come under increased public scrutiny over their compliance with local government autonomy. As implementation continues, attention is expected to focus on how state governments align with the Supreme Court’s decision and how direct allocations improve governance, infrastructure and public services at the grassroots level.
