Some delegates at the ongoing National Conference on Monday canvassed for the strengthening and autonomy of local government councils in the country.

Ibrahim Khaleel, a delegate representing the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) made the call  during the plenary in Abuja.

He said the best way to accommodate Nigeria’s diversity and carry everybody along was to strengthen the local government.

Khaleel is also the National President, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

According to him, from 1999 to date, the operation of local governments in the country has been hijacked by state governments through all manners of experiments.

“Elections into local governments are being organised and conducted by state governors at will.

“This is unacceptable and this will never in any way enhance the operations of local governments.

“The issue of local government election should be taken serious in this conference, to ensure that people at that level are  allowed  to participate in electing their representatives.’’

Khaleel added that that appointment of civil servants into local government councils had been bastardised.

“The issue of primary education is also being bastardised as the election of education secretary is no longer on merit.”

“All we find is that a junior officer is placed above the most senior officer to administer local government education.”

Meanwhile, Mr Nasiru Junji, another delegate representing former local government chairmen, said it was high time local government councils were granted autonomy.

Junji said that local government councils in the country had been held down by state governments and as such were not functioning as they should.

“If the local governments are working with the cooperation of additional institutions, we will be able to solve the issue of insecurity in this country.

“The earlier the issue is resolved, the better for this country,’’ Junji said. (NAN)