The House of Representatives has reiterated its commitment to empowering Local Government Councils to make effective by-laws that drive grassroots development.
Chairman of the House Committee on Delegated Legislation, Rep. Richard Bamisile, made this known at the opening of a national retreat in Abuja aimed at enhancing the legislative capacity of Local Governments.
The retreat, themed “Enhancing Legislative Capacity of Local Government Councils and the Review of the Vertical Revenue Allocation Formula,” was organised in collaboration with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Bagama and Networks Ltd.
Bamisile explained that the programme was designed to improve the by-law-making process at the grassroots, stressing that effective legislation must reflect the realities and aspirations of the people.
“To succeed in legislating effectively at the local level, we must work in unison, leveraging our collective strengths and resources,” he said.
“Our first focus will be on the by-law-making process—developing strategies that empower councils to create impactful laws that address community needs. This is crucial not only for enhancing governance but also for fostering accountability and improving citizens’ lives.”
He added that the retreat would also draw from ALGON’s experience in the ongoing review of the Vertical Revenue Allocation Formula by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). According to him, ALGON’s insights would guide parliamentary approaches to ensuring fair and effective resource allocation.
In his remarks, ALGON President, Mr. Bello Lawal, said the retreat was an opportunity to ensure that Local Governments, as the closest tier to the people, have a stronger voice in Nigeria’s fiscal structure.
He affirmed ALGON’s commitment to pushing for adequate empowerment of councils in line with constitutional provisions, noting that the outcomes of the retreat would strengthen intergovernmental relations, deepen legislative harmony, and expand resources for grassroots governance.
Lawal added: “Together, we can move closer to the Nigeria of our dreams—where every community enjoys basic services, every child has access to quality education and healthcare, and food security is guaranteed. Today’s gathering is not just a retreat, but a renewal of our commitment to grassroots service.”