Senator
Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel who represents Jigawa North West Senatorial district
recently moved the Motion for Local Government Reforms, no doubt a very
important Motion.
He spoke to the
Managing Editor/Publisher and our Associate Editor of HallowMace on the Motion
and other issues in his office.
HallowMace: You
pushed a Motion for Local Government Reforms, why?
Senator Gumel:
This Motion came about because of a lot of petitions, both written and verbal
about the annoyance they have on the third tier of government being killed.
This is a tier of government with constitutional provision and we saw that the
tenets of the constitution allows for it to thrive. The Local government system
is fundamental to the development of this country.
We want the Senate to conduct a Public hearing; we want
to call on the stakeholders and hear from them. We shall write ALGON, Governors
forum and Nigerians. This is so because it’s the government closest to the
people. If this tier of government works effectively, the pressure on all other
tires of government would be reduced. Like you all know, because of the
collapse of the local government system, we are pressured with all kinds of
request at the National and State Assemblies. If this system is revived, we are
going to only give legislative backing.
Another issue is that of deductions. Vast numbers of
people are in the local government areas. Take a look at local government
elections and you will realize the turn out are usually massive. Unfortunately,
the system has not been allowed to thrive, so this legislative intervention is
necessary to make local government worthwhile.
We are conducting the Public hearing to be declared open by the Senate
President, and will be beamed live on television.
HallowMace: Some
people say this Motion is needless, because it is a constitutional issue?
Senator Gumel:
This Motion like I said is spurred by the need for reforms in the local
government administration. It is mindful of the constitutional provision. The
amendment is to separate the local government from the State. We are using the
existing constitutional provisions to correct the abnormality as it is. When we
get to the river, we shall cross it. Now, we want the local government to start
working.
HallowMace: The
Local Government Administration system is encumbered, as a parliamentarian,
what lasting panacea are you pushing?
Senator Gumel:
To my mind, I think previously we had no political will in the past unlike now;
we have a leader with the necessary political will, a father, an incorruptible
person, a man who came to salvage our Nation. The Governors didn’t want to let
go before, they regard local government as their babies but we have to
appreciate that peculiar situation in the States. The Federal Government is so
heavy and would have to shed some of their responsibilities and delegate it to
the States.
For instance, there is no need for the Federal Government
to be digging bore holes in local government areas. The Federal Government can
take care of Agriculture, fund research institutes. The Federal Government has
no business in fertilizers.
We have River Basin Commission which the Federal Government
can adequately fund. Primary Health care
is the business of local government, secondary for States, while Tertiary is
that of the Federal Government.
HallowMace: After
the Public Hearing, what next?
Senator Gumel:
We will aggregate the report of Nigerians, the Stakeholders and return to the
Senate. Provisions that require constitutional amendments would be sent to it,
that which requires legislation, we shall legislate. Those that require
dialogue with various institutions shall be done.
Since the return of democracy in this country, the entire
tiers of government have not gone for retreat for experts to discuss. This
institution needs to collaborate the need to work within a framework which
would move this country forward. This country must be made to work.
HallowMace: What
is your experience thus far?
Senator Gumel:
I was in the House of Representatives in the first session, and in the 5th
session, I was an Adviser to Speaker Masari, in the 6th session, I
was adviser to Late President Yar’adua in the House, in the 7th
session, I was an Adviser to the National Chairman of PDP, Bamanga Turkur, and
now am in the Senate as a Senator. I have not had break since 1999. We are
pioneers.
I recall that in 1999 when we started, it was not rosy,
we were abused in the public space for some misrepresentation on some allowances,
but look at it now. So the National Assembly now is new, relatively new because
of democracy. Recall that when in the past we had military coup, the Executive
and the Judiciary were still in operation but not the legislature. Now we have
the Executive viewing the legislature as an aberration. But with time, everybody is trying to
appreciate the legislature as an important arm of government which is a symbol
of democracy.
Take the issue of this car palaver, vehicles for members
of the National Assembly. Local government chairmen have official cars, members
of state Houses of Assemblies, Commissioners, Directors, Deputy Directors and
Ministers all have official cars, so why not members of the National Assembly?
Because they regard us as new, a thorn in the flesh, if not why? An institution
populated by professionals, former Governors, Professors, and people from
different fields. People who have excelled in their chosen fields of endeavor.
Am an Accountant and also an administrator, my second degree is in public
policy and administration. Am well read and at my age do they expect me to walk
to NASS?
Don’t forget that we are daily undaunted with request and
again receiving bashing. No appreciation? That not fair. I think there should
be a re-think.
Thank You.
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