A forum of key functionaries of Nigeria’s 774 local governments will hold today and tomorrow in the country’s capital, Abuja. It is being jointly organised by the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter­governmental Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Minister of Special Duties and Inter­governmental Affairs, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, told journalists in Abuja that the forum would provide a unique platform for interaction and exchange of ideas by the attendees. “This would help to elicit the understanding and cooperation of the key functionaries and also go a long way to strengthen the relationship between the ministry and the local governments.”

The minister tasked the forum “to ensure that local government areas actually play an important role in enhancing inclusive and sustainable development in the country.” He said that “specifically, the forum would help to create awareness about UNDP-assisted projects and rekindle the interest of the local government functionaries to relate effectively with the ministry so that the objectives of the project can be realised.”

He listed the following as specific objectives of the forum:

i. Strengthen the relationship between the ministry and local governments.

ii. Create awareness among the key stakeholders in Local Government Administration of the role of the new Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs in the coordination and monitoring of the implementation of government policies and programmes that are political in nature, as it pertains to states and local government, with the aim of ensuring good governance; and

iii. Consider the challenges facing Local Governments in Nigeria and recommend appropriate solutions.

On the benefits of the forum, Alhaji Turaki said it would promote effective interface and coordination of programmes and activities at national and sub-national levels. Others, according to him are:

•Mobilisation of the willpower of the leaders in policy making, implementation and supervision for the development of the three tiers of government;

•Facilitation of the review and implementation of uniform schemes of service and financial memoranda for local government;

•Effective linkage of local governments to international organisations such as UNDP, DFID, USAID, CLGF, World Bank, etc;

•Comparison of notes and sharing of experiences; and

• Tackling of policy failures and effective implementation of policies at local government level.

•Photo shows Special Duties Minister, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.