LGA Chairmen:
According to the Nigerian constitution, the 774 LGA Chairmen and their councillors are responsible for the establishment, maintenance and regulation of markets, motor parks and public conveniences; Construction and maintenance of roads, streets, drains and other public highways, parks, and open spaces; Provision and maintenance of public transportation and refuse disposal.
But when you see rubbish piling up on your street, who is the appropriate authority to be held responsible? When the grassroots are hungry and lacking in the basic necessities of life with no improvement in their standard of living, who is the closest government saddled with the responsibility of shouldering their burden?
National Assembly:
There is corruption among government officials. We are all angry with the President. But we elected 469 people to represent us in the National Assembly. The Nigerian Constitution says that the National Assembly (Senators and Reps) has broad oversight functions and is empowered to establish committees TO SCRUTINISE THE CONDUCT OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
How many corrupt government officials have been scrutinised by the Senate/House of Reps so far? Is the National Assembly itself not corrupt? Whose fault and who do we blame?
State Governors:
Then we have the 36 State Governors, whose functions include among others(Nigerian Constitution, Chapter 10, sections 13-18):
-Promotion of security and welfare of citizens.
-Provision of adequate facilities, goods and services that improve the well-being of all citizens
-Elimination of all forms of corrupt practices and abuse of power
-Promotion of State economy and efficiency in such a manner as to secure maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of all citizens
-Promotion of planned and balanced economy to ensure equity in the distribution of resources to all citizens, and the decentralization of the means of production and exchange in the control of many citizens.
-Provision of adequate shelter, food, resources, wages, education and health facilities to all citizens, including those with special needs.
Someone was complaining against the fed Govt for allowing Judicial workers to go on strike, he failed to make further investigations to know that it is the state Govts that made Judicial workers to go on strike and not the Fed Govt. When things go wrong in a particular area, who do you blame.
You might say 'What about Federal duties like Power supply?'. Well, look at Akwa Ibom State government for example. They couldn't wait for the Federal Government so they went ahead and set up the Ibom Power Generating Company (IPGC), a 190 MW Independent Power Project that is 100 percent owned by the state government. How about Infrastructure? The Delta State government didn't wait for the Federal Government before spending over N40bn to fix more than 300 kilometres of FEDERAL ROADS in the state. Both are going to be refunded by the Federal government. What is your governor doing for you?
Other Bodies:
We also have other bodies in Nigeria that have responsibilities. For example, if your boss is maltreating you, we have the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Industrial court of arbitartion. Their function is to defend you and your rights. Have you contacted them to lodge a complaint?
INTELLIGENT CITIZENS
So, if you see anything bad happening in Nigeria, first ask: who is responsible? Is it the President, the National Assembly, the Governors, the Local Govt Chairmen or all of the above? Also find out at what level that problem is existing. Federal, State or Local Government? Don't be myopic like other people, be an intelligent citizen. There is a reason for division of labour. The President is not performing in line with our expectations but if we allocate responsibility where it is due, we might see things more clearly.
No comments:
Post a Comment