The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has urged President Bola Tinubu to take urgent steps to address the deteriorating conditions of the local government system, stressing that “vacant” local councils have become fertile grounds for bandits, terrorists and other criminals to thrive.

NULGE president Ambali Olatunji said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the maiden NULGE national week celebration with a march pass and parade.

According to him, this year’s celebration aims to draw the world’s attention to the deteriorating condition of the once enviable and functional local government system.

“The dysfunctional local government system in Nigeria had resulted in political non-inclusiveness, lack of adequate social amenities, dilapidated social infrastructure and insecurity across the nation. This, leading to high rate of neglect, hopelessness and rural urban migration leaving towns, villages and hamlets deserted and vacant for criminals, terrorist and vandals.

“It is therefore necessary to take urgent steps to revert the ugly trend, as it is a sub-national level and needs to be reworked as the third tier level of government for improved performance. As it will bring democratic dividend closer to the people to enhance qualitative development of our various communities and grow the rural economy for national prosperity,” he said.

Mr Olatunji also noted that the myriad of problems bedevilling the nation would be situated within the dysfunctional nature of the councils most relevant to the people.

The NULGE boss added that both constitutional lacuna and administrative misapplications of procedures had crippled this. He noted the existing 1999 constitution, as amended, completely eroded the independence, functions and modus operandi of the system in terms of creation, funding, duties and structure.

Mr Olatunji added that sections 7 and 162 of the constitution should be urgently amended.

“This is to ensure that the local government is fixed and operates within a reasonable context of political, administrative and fiscal autonomy for the betterment of the masses,” he said.

Mr Olatunji also said that the present economic situation in the country calls for concern and that some measures needed to be put in place to address the economic issues.

(NAN)