Breaking News: Local Government Chairmen to Appoint Mayors for LCDAs as Lagos Assembly Abolishes Elections for Development Areas
The Lagos State House of Assembly announced on Thursday that a constitutional amendment is required for the state’s 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to gain full recognition, elevating them to the same status as the 20 constitutionally established local governments. Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made the statement during the second public hearing on the Local Government Administration Bill held in Ikeja.
The bill, titled *‘A Law to Provide for Local Governments’ System, Establishment and Administration and to Consolidate all Laws on Local Government Administration and for Connected Purposes’*, aims to streamline local governance in Lagos State by integrating various legal provisions related to local government administration.
Obasa emphasized that the Nigerian constitution only recognizes 20 local councils in Lagos, and that an amendment would be necessary to upgrade the LCDAs to fully recognized councils. However, he explained that until such a constitutional change occurs, the current arrangement—where the 20 LGAs fund the LCDAs—will continue in line with the Supreme Court’s recent ruling granting autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local government councils.
"The bill provided that local governments under which the different LCDAs fall shall appoint Mayors for development areas These appointments will be subject to confirmation by the Assembly," Obasa stated.
He further explained that the bill outlines how local government areas will have designated LCDAs and corresponding headquarters, as detailed in the first schedule of the bill, to ensure efficient and effective local administration.
Also speaking at the hearing, Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government, Okanlawon Sanni, highlighted the purpose of the bill: to provide a legal framework ensuring that both local governments and LCDAs can deliver effective services to residents. He emphasized that the bill captures all necessary amendments for the optimal administration of local governance in Lagos.
With the bill moving closer to its final stage