CITN Praises Supreme Court Judgment on Local Government Autonomy

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has praised the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming financial autonomy for Local Governments in Nigeria.

In a statement signed by the Acting Registrar/Chief Executive, Afolake Oso, the CITN said the apex court’s decision will enhance governance and development at the grassroots level.

“This ruling will promote fiscal federalism and true autonomy at the subnational level, thereby enhancing the delivery of democratic dividends to the populace,” the statement read.

The CITN also urged local government chairmen to ensure judicious use of resources, emphasizing that the ruling provides a call to service for leadership at various local councils, allowing for structured planning and development.

“More accountability, prudence, and transparency are required from local leaders to ensure resources are used effectively for the prompt payment of workers’ salaries, provision of health and social services, educational facilities, and infrastructural development,” the CITN statement continued.

Additionally, the CITN expects the ruling to curb the use of touts for revenue collection at the local government level. “As an institute dedicated to a professionalised tax system, we hope this development will end the practice of using non-state actors for revenue collection, which arises from an unstructured and ineffective tax system,” Oso said.

The Supreme Court recently declared it unconstitutional for state governors to control funds allocated to local government administrations and affirmed that local government councils must be democratically elected, not appointed by state governments.