President Goodluck Jonathan has thrown his weight behind strong local government administration saying the third tier of government provides an opportunity for effective service delivery.
Speaking in Kampala, Uganda at the 2013 Commonwealth Local Government Conference, President Jonathan who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Winifred Oyo-Ita, advocated a strong autonomy for local governments to enable them serve the people at the grassroots.
President Jonathan applauded the objectives of the conference which includes poverty eradication, promoting good governance at the local level and improving the living condition of citizens through the provision of basic services and infrastructure.
The Presidents of Uganda, Sri-Lanka and Rwanda who also attended the conference stressed the need for the strengthening of local government administration as a means of achieving sustainable development.