By Felix Kuyinu
The Lagos State House of Assembly, LAHA, has adjusted the laws on fiscal autonomy granted by the Supreme Court to the Local Government Councils.
LAHA, in a plenary passed the second reading ammendment to effect changes in establishment of the autonomy which will take effect in all 20 Local Governments and 37 LCDA’s in the state.
The laws state that all the LCDAs will now to be funded by the Local Governments, all measures granted upon the signing of the new amendments into law by the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The law also holds that the LG’s can delegate duties to the LCDAs that fall within their territories.
In addition, Council Chairmen can now appoint Chiefs of Staff in their administration. However, the Chairmen are now restrained from taking oaths of office three times. The House explained that if for any reason a sitting Chairman is removed from office before the termination of his/her term, and the Vice Chairman is sworn in to succeed him, the succeeding Chairman will only be legally allowed to run for office as Chairman once.
Furthermore, the lawmakers stipulated that If a Chairman-elect dies before being sworn in or is found wanting for any reason, the Vice Chairman-elect will automatically inherit the Certificate of Return.
