On behalf of the National President of ALGON and the 774 Local Government Council Chairmen in the country, I want to thank the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof Ali Pate and Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency Dr Muyi Aina for organizing this very important National Stakeholders Engagement on Accelerating Improvements in Primary Healthcare in Nigeria with Local Government Financial Autonomy.
The Hon Justice of the Supreme Court Emmanuel Akomaye Agim on the 11th of July 2024, delivered the Lead Judgement that confirmed the 774 Local Government Councils as the 3rd Tier of Government in the Nigeria Federation and mandated amongst others, that the 774 Local Government Councils shall directly receive their FAC funds to implement their Constitutional Mandate and Responsibilities as the 3rd Tier of Government in Nigeria.
These mandate and responsibilities include: -
1. For the 774 Local Government Health Authorities (LGHAs) to be responsible for the administration of all budgets and funds for PHCs services.
2. To undertake the building and renovation of all PHCs based on need.
3. To undertake recruitment, promotion, and discipline of all staff from level 1-6 as a baseline.
4. To have more and significant Local Government Council Chairmen membership in the rebranded State Primary Healthcare Governing Boards, to strengthen their capacity to influence decisions that are important for the effective administration of the peculiarities of their various Local Government Councils.
To achieve above, ALGON recognizes the importance of an elaborate Stakeholder engagement and collaboration for an improved Primary Healthcare service delivery across the country with no one left behind.
The ALGON National Primary Healthcare Revitalization and Operationalization program (ANPH-ROP) Stakeholders Workshop which took place at the Presidential Villa Abuja on the 28th of August 2024, the ALGON Stakeholders Forum side event which took place during the 65th National Council on Health at the Mahammed Indimi Hall of the University of Maiduguri on the 20th November 2024 and today’s National Stakeholders Engagement on Accelerating Improvements in Primary Healthcare in Nigeria with Local Government Financial Autonomy, are all part of the stakeholders engagement process.
The 774 Local Government Councils Chairmen in Nigeria are ready to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders and showcase their leadership potentials and capabilities in the implementation of their constitutional mandate towards better governance at the Grassroot level across the country.
- Hon. (Dr.) Aminu Jauro Hassan, ALGON Chairman Taraba State Chapter and also the ALGON National Welfare Officer.