The Lagos State Government is on the verge of abolishing elections for the state’s 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), replacing them with a new administrative structure.
This significant development was disclosed by the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Lasbat Meranda, on behalf of Speaker Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, during a stakeholders’ meeting, convened to discuss the state’s governance reforms on the 17th of October 2024.
The proposed change is encapsulated in a new legislative framework titled “A Bill for a Law to Provide for Local Governments System, Establishment and Administration, and to Consolidate All Laws on Local Government Administration and Connected Purposes.”
The bill seeks to restructure the local government system by establishing 37 Area Administrative Councils in place of the existing LCDAs.
These new councils will function alongside the 20 constitutionally recognized local governments in Lagos State.
Under the proposed structure, the Area Administrative Councils will be managed by appointed Area Administrative Secretaries, who will be appointed by the state governor and approved by the House of Assembly.
This marks a departure from the current system, which involves direct elections for LCDA chairpersons.
Explaining the rationale behind the bill, Deputy Speaker Meranda emphasized that the goal is to bring governance closer to the grassroots, particularly in remote areas of Lagos State.
According to her, this new structure will not only streamline the administrative process but also enable quicker decision-making and more effective service delivery.
“The bill aims to strengthen governance at the local level, improve infrastructure development, and ensure equitable distribution of resources across the state,” Meranda stated.
The Deputy Speaker further highlighted the challenges faced by remote communities, pointing out that the new Area Administrative Councils would be better equipped to meet the specific needs of these areas, as the appointed secretaries would focus on local infrastructure projects and development.
The proposed bill has generated considerable interest among stakeholders, as it represents a fundamental shift in local governance in Lagos State.
If passed into law, it will eliminate the need for LCDA elections and concentrate administrative duties in the hands of appointed officials, who will be held accountable to the House of Assembly.
While some view the bill as a positive step towards more efficient local governance, there are ongoing discussions about its broader implications for democratic representation and local autonomy.
Proponents argue that it will expedite infrastructure development, while critics have raised concerns about the potential loss of local electoral representation.
The bill is currently under review by the Lagos State House of Assembly, with further consultations expected before it is passed into law. Once implemented, the new structure is expected to transform the administrative landscape of Lagos State, particularly in terms of grassroots governance and development.
INN-HOUSE☆ 