Senator Joseph Bassey representing Akpabuyo/Bakassi/ Calabar South Senatorial zone has observed that unless,
the Local Government Areas are giving autonomy, there is no how insecurity could be tackle in Nigeria.
He said insecurity is as a result of failure in the third tier of government.
The lawmaker also linked insecurity in parts of the country to poverty, he emphasised that poverty has triggered insecurity.
Senator Bassey, who is the Chairman House Committee on Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness
said, as long as the state governors continue to decide what goes to the chairmen and counselors and even state lawmakers there is no way the chairmen of councils can have control over their people and insecurity will continue.
Bassey, a former deputy speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, was reacting to the 2024 Budget proposal presented by President Bola Tinubu to the joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday in Abuja.
Indeed, Bassey doubted if much can be achieve without a reform of local government areas.
“If the state government is paying salary to states lawmakers would the lawmakers have the powers to talk on issues that will favour the masses as against the governor’s will? he asked.
He added that the 10th Assembly will be ready to carry out their oversight functions effectively to make sure the budget if passed to law is implemented to the later.
He said “I believe this Government, President Tinubu led Government will tackle the issue of implementation of the budget seriously and we as legislature will also take our oversight more seriously this time around”.
He bemoaned the plight of the Bakassi people, stressing that the Bakassi people are clearly neglected by the Nigerian government, adding that over the years, despite the huge amount in budget, they (Bakassi) have never benefited from the budget since they were ceded to Cameroon in 2008 for peace to reign.
He however expressed optimism that the 2024 budget will renew the hope of Bakassi people, noting that Bakassi people need special attention and “President Bola Tinubu led government has what it takes to turn around the fortune of his people”.
