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C’River assembly moves to amend LG law

By Francesca Hangeior

The Cross River State House of Assembly has initiated the amendment process for the Local Government Law 2007, proposing an increase in political appointments across Local Government Areas.

The bill, sponsored by Rt. Hon. Davies Etta, representing Abi State Constituency, was debated on Tuesday in Calabar.

It seeks to raise the number of appointees in each LGA to 50, introducing 16 Special Adviser positions and a new cadre of officials referred to as Ward Relation Officers.

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According to the bill: “The Chairman of Council may appoint such a number of Special Advisers to assist him in the discharge of his duties, provided that appointments, when added to other statutory appointments, shall not exceed a total number of 50.”

The proposed Ward Relation Officers will hold ranks equivalent to Special Advisers and will report directly to the Chairmen of their respective LGAs.

Another key provision in the amendment seeks to elevate the office of the Head of Local Government Administration to the status of a Permanent Secretary within the state public service.

The bill stipulates that HOLGAs will enjoy all rights, privileges, and entitlements associated with Permanent Secretaries, including pensions.

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“The office of the HOLGA shall be equivalent to the office of a Permanent Secretary of the State Public Service and shall enjoy all rights and privileges of the Permanent Secretary, including pensions,” the bill stated.

It also mandates that appointments to the HOLGA position must be sourced exclusively from within the local government service in the state.
Having passed its first and second readings, the bill has been referred to a joint committee on Local Government Affairs, Judiciary, and Public
Accounts for further deliberations and stakeholder consultations.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem emphasised the importance of the amendment in strengthening local government administration.

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