Organised labour in Cross River has urged the House of Assembly to support the bill seeking to give financial autonomy to local governments.
The bill, which was passed by the National Assembly, must receive endorsements by two-third majority of members in the 36 legislatures.
At a solidarity rally yesterday in Calabar, Mr Godwin Ayende, state president of Nigeria Union Local Government Employees (NULGE), said council autonomy would guarantee democracy at the grassroots.
“Local government autonomy will bring government closer to the people. It will guarantee provision of social services and enhance people’s participation in governance, ‘’ he said.
The NULGE president described the joint account system as a burden on council administration, adding that it crippled development at the grassroots.
“Today, local government administration cannot build or even rehabilitate rural roads; they cannot build markets and they exist at the whims and caprices of governors.
“We hope the Cross River House of Assembly will heed the cries of our people and support the bill once it comes before the House, ‘’ he said.
Also, Mr John Ushie state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), described the joint account system as political slavery.
According to him, council autonomy is the only way forward for socio-economic emancipation at the grassroots.
Ushie said councils were incapacitated because of the joint account policy, which need to be expunged from the Constitution.
“Local government autonomy will bring improved health care delivery at the grassroots and improve social services.
“We believe local government autonomy will make our democracy work and put an end to political slavery and victimisation, ‘’ he said.
The labour leaders and members later marched from Mary Slessor Avenue to the House of Assembly Complex, where they delivered a letter to the Speaker, John Lebo.
Lebo assured them that the House supports council autonomy.
Represented by Mrs Regina Anyogu, chairman, Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lebo said lawmakers would actualise the quest for council autonomy in Nigeria.