The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has approved a three-year term for elected Local Government Chairmen and Councilors, introducing key reforms to the state’s local government administration.
Under the newly ratified legislation, the Assembly has detached the Ministry for Local Government, Local Government Service Commission, and Local Government Pension Board from direct control over Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Additionally, the existing 18 Development Areas have been transformed into Area Administrative Councils, each led by Area Administrators appointed by the Governor and approved by the Assembly.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, announced these changes during a session in Lafia, stating that they align with ongoing federal efforts to empower local governments.
The reforms, he noted, are timely, as local government elections in Nasarawa are approaching. According to the new law, the state will contribute 20% in grants to the Area Administrative Councils for rural infrastructure, and LGAs can also provide additional funding for local development.
Among the notable amendments, the bill establishes a Traditional Remittance Allocation Fund (TERAF) in each Local Government, ensuring funds reach Traditional Councils without deductions. Furthermore, an Area Administrative Council Management Committee (ACAC) will distribute funds for rural development, meeting monthly or quarterly to oversee economic progress.
The House also passed a separate bill empowering the state to generate and distribute electricity, aiming to improve power supply in Nasarawa. Speaker Jatau emphasized that the bill, once signed, would address local energy challenges.
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