DOSUNMU HAILS SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT ON LOCAL GOVT AUTONOMY AND COMMENDS PRESIDENT TINUBU FOR THE BOLD INITIATIVE

DOSUNMU HAILS SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT ON LOCAL GOVT AUTONOMY AND COMMENDS PRESIDENT TINUBU FOR THE BOLD INITIATIVE

Former Director General of NIMASA and Public Policy Expert, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, has hailed the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the matter of Autonomy of the Local Governments brought before it by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, calling it a landmark judgement that is long over due but timely. The importance of this decision at this time in our history cannot be overemphasized, as it will no doubt guarantee the delivery of dividends of democracy to the grassroots, as represented by the 774 local Governments. We now have a well-structured federal system that guarantees the independence of each tier of government, like it is in other federal jurisdictions all over the world. State governors are advised to take it in good faith and see this as a sacrifice they must make to advance our democracy.

Executive Director of Finance and Administration at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Chudi Offodile (left), presenting a souvenir to Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Hon. Abubakar Sulaiman, during an oversight visit to the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

R-L: Executive Director Operations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Engr. Fatai Adeyemi; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations Hon. Abubakar Sulaiman; Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NIMASA, Chudi Offodile; and a member of the committee during an oversight visit by the committee to the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

To the Local Government chairmen, it should be seen as a call for accountability and more dedication to duty, because to whom much is given, much is expected. My advice to Nigerians living in the 774 local governments is to get involved and demand accountability from their local government chairmen. There must be robust civic engagement by the residents of the local governments on how funds allocated are utilized and how projects are implemented. I congratulate and commend the C-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for this bold and audacious initiative leading to this historic judgement that has opened new vistas of opportunities for Nigerians as we consolidate our democratic journey. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Dr Ade Dosunmu, MON

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, Hon. Abubakar Sulaiman, and the members of the committee have commended the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for upholding safety standards in the Nigerian maritime sector.

This commendation was made during the committee’s oversight visit to the headquarters of the Agency in Lagos, where the chairman expressed satisfaction with the infrastructure at the Agency’s headquarters, located in Victoria Island, Lagos.

He assured that the committee is ready to collaborate with NIMASA in ensuring the Agency’s mandates, which include safety, are realized.

The committee, established to oversee health and safety, had visited NIMASA, a safety agency, as its first port of call, marking the beginning of its oversight activities. It’s assignment includes ensuring that organizational health and safety are upheld, while also putting in place mechanisms that will guarantee an environmentally friendly and conducive working environment.