Muhammad Ambursa, Chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kebbi State, has advised President Bola Tinubu to proceed cautiously with the nationwide implementation of local government autonomy. Ambursa, who also serves as Chairman of Birnin Kebbi Local Government, cautioned that while autonomy has clear benefits, it could present significant financial challenges for many local councils, especially those with limited revenue sources.
Speaking at his office in Birnin Kebbi, Ambursa emphasised that Kebbi State has successfully navigated the challenges of local government autonomy due to proactive measures taken by Governor Nasir Idris. He acknowledged that some local councils in Kebbi would face difficulties in paying workers’ salaries if state government support were withdrawn. He also noted that the financial capacity of local councils varies widely across Nigeria.
Ambursa pointed to a recent meeting of local government chairmen from Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto states, who raised concerns about the sustainability of operations under full autonomy, with some councils already struggling with delayed or unpaid salaries.
Despite these concerns, Ambursa supported the move towards local government autonomy, emphasising its potential to improve governance at the grassroots level. He advocated for a phased approach that takes into account the diverse financial realities of councils across the country.
Ambursa also praised Governor Idris for his focus on grassroots development, highlighting a recent initiative in which funds were allocated to all 21 local councils in Kebbi for the renovation of secretariat buildings. He urged other state governors to follow Kebbi’s example and support local councils to ensure both autonomy and financial sustainability.
As President Tinubu’s administration works toward the full implementation of local government autonomy, Ambursa called for careful planning and stakeholder engagement to ensure that no local council is left behind in delivering essential services to their communities.
