The Lagos State Civil Society Coalition has said that a proposed bill to dismantle the 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) in Lagos will signal a significant regression for local governance in the state.

The group spokesperson, Sina Loremikan, restated the coalition’s position in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.

The coalition, alongside a group of concerned Lagosians, recently addressed a news conference in Lagos denouncing the proposed bill by the Lagos State House of Assembly to replace the 37 LCDAs with the Area Administrative Council.

The bill proposed that the area administrative councils will be administered and funded by the local government areas under which they fall.

Mr Loremikan said the bill is not only retrogressive but a move by the House of Assembly to disrupt the administrative structure that has allowed communities in Lagos State to enjoy localised governance and development for nearly two decades.

“The LCDAs were established in 2003 to bring government closer to the people, increase representation and address local issues more effectively.

“The proposed bill will dismantle these structures, ostensibly under the claim that they are unconstitutional,’’ Mr Loremikan of Campaign Against Impunity said.

The coalition leader contended that the LCDAs have been particularly effective in providing more tailored services and infrastructure to areas that are otherwise overlooked by local government councils.

He added that by proposing to abolish the entities, the State House of Assembly and its leadership have taken steps to “reverse the gains made in local development, reduce citizen participation in governance, and stall community-focused initiatives.

“If the bill succeeds, it will signal a significant regression for local governance in Lagos.

“It is our considered position, therefore, that the abolition of the LCDAs will invariably create governance crises in communities where resources and attention are often stretched.

“Our fear and the fears of many Lagosians are that these communities would be left without adequate representation, thereby straining development and the already complex governance landscape of Lagos State.

“As concerned citizens and stakeholders, we insist on the preservation and empowerment of the LCDAs as effective vehicles for grassroots governance and local empowerment,’’ he said.

Mr Loremikan added that the proposed abolition bill is a direct affront to President Bola Tinubu’s legacy during his tenure as governor of Lagos state.

“It is important to remember that the creation of these LCDAs is a key part of the legacy of President Tinubu during his tenure as Governor.

“Abolishing the LCDAs will not only erase a fundamental aspect of his legacy, but it will also set a dangerous precedent that disregards the will of the people and the importance of local governance.

“Tinubu’s foresight in creating these LCDAs was instrumental in transforming Lagos into the economic powerhouse it is today.

“This legacy must be protected. Lagosians will not stand by and watch as the progress made over the last two decades is rolled back by a single legislative action,” he said.

Mr Loremikan, therefore, called on the House of Assembly to withdraw the proposed bill immediately because of its long-term consequences.

(NAN)