Lagos LCDAs need constitutional recognition, says assembly speaker

• Lagos will operate through democratically elected LGs, recognizing 20 LGAs as outlined in the 1999 Constitution.
• According to the bill, Lagos will recognise 20 LGAs as outlined in the 1999 Constitution.

Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the Lagos house of assembly, says only a constitutional amendment can grant the existing 37 local council development areas (LCDAs) the same status as LGAs.

The LCDAs were created by Bola Tinubu in 2003 when he was governor of Lagos state.

Last week, the Lagos state house of assembly moved to replace the existing LCDAs with newly designated administrative areas.

Speaking on Thursday in Ikeja, Obasa said that LCDAs require constitutional recognition to operate as full-fledged councils.

This was part of the discussion at the second public hearing for the proposed “Bill for a law to provide for the local government system, establishment and administration, and to consolidate all laws on local government administration”.

“It will be recalled that this House of Assembly in 2003 had enacted a Law establishing 37 LCDAs,” Obasa said.

“However, until there is consequential constitutional amendment that will recognise the LCDAs as full-fledged Local Government, they will continue to be known as LCDAs.

“The LCDAs will perform any duty assigned by a Law of the Lagos State House of Assembly; and executive directives from the state government.”

Obasa, speaking on the proposed law, noted that local governments oversee LCDAs and will appoint Mayors for development areas.

The speaker said the bill provides for 20 LGs to fund LCDAs under them, and such appointments are subject to assembly confirmation.

Obasa added that the bill aligns with the supreme court’s judgment granting autonomy to the 774 LG councils, obliging the house’s compliance.

The speaker said sub-clause 3 of clause 3 provides for 20 LHAs to have designated LCDAs and headquarters, adding this ensures efficient and effective local government administration.

On his part, Okanlawon Sanni, chairman of the house committee on LG, said the bill provides a legal framework for effective grassroots service delivery, adding that it captures amendments for optimal local government administration.

He added that the committee will consider all stakeholders’ suggestions and opinions from the public hearing on merit for the bill’s passage.