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The Lagos State Civil Society Coalition has called on the House of Assembly to immediately withdraw the proposed bill to dismantle the state’s 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), calling it a major setback for local governance. The bill, which suggests replacing LCDAs with Area Administrative Councils overseen and funded by larger local government areas, was denounced by coalition spokesperson Mr. Sina Loremikan. “The LCDAs were established in 2003 to bring government closer to the people,” he said.
“If the bill succeeds, it will signal a significant regression for local governance in Lagos. It is our considered position, therefore, that the abolition of the LCDAs will invariably create governance crises in communities where resources and attention are often stretched.
“Our fear and the fears of many Lagosians are that these communities would be left without adequate representation, thereby straining development and the already complex governance landscape of Lagos State. As concerned citizens and stakeholders, we insist on the preservation and empowerment of the LCDAs as effective vehicles for grassroots governance and local empowerment,” he added.