NULGE SETS FOR CONSTITUTION REVIEW

 * Wants Graduates As Council Chairmen, Councillors

THE Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) appears set for the on-going moves by the National Assembly to revioew the 1999 Constitution which has been heavily criticised as a flawed document.

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The union is arguing that the current local government system in the country cannot achieve sustainable development in line with the vision of government if the role of the political class is overlooked. They have therefoprte, decided to push for a radical reform at the grassroots.

President of the Rivers State wing of the union, Apostle Godwin Diri, who made this known to our correspondent yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, pointed out that NULGE was not comfortable with the non-transparent process of rexcruiting leaders for governance at the local government level.

''How leaders are recruited for governance at the local level is a great disservice to the rural dwellers and a total departure from the aims of the local government system in Nigeria'', the NULGE chief said.

According to him, ''due to the poor quality of political leadership at the local government, newly elected leaders usually waste much time before settling down to the business of governance. In most cases, the necessary legislative and administrative support expected from the two arms of local governmentare below standard, and not commensurate with general expectations''.

NULGE is also hitting at instability in the local government system as another factor affecting effective governance at the grassroots. ''There is a high turnover at the executive branch. The local government system is being operated as if there are no constitutional provisions on appointment and cessation of office. This has led to abandonment of policies, programmes and projects'', the union said.

Continuing, the union added, ''it is pertinent that operators of the system should be properly equipped and positioned to carry out their functions. It is therefore our view that aspirants for the post of chairman and councillor should be not less than 40 years of age and 35 years respectively''.

Both officers, they went on, ''should have a minimum of first degree. They should also have at least, five years of working experience''.

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NULGE is equally bracing to push for transparent and credible elections in a bid to enable matured, experienced, knowledgeable and credible leaders to be involved, adding, ''we strongly condem the frequent appointment of care-taker committees to man the affairs of local governments''.