Former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana has joined those calling for the autonomy of local government administration in the country.

Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the Northern Local Government Chairmen’s Forum in Abuja, Professor Gana said local government is key to effective governance in the country.

The former minister however challenged the chairmen to ensure proper utilization of the autonomy for the development of the northern part of the country.

The newly formed forum comprises chairmen of 419 local government areas from the 19 northern states in the country.

The forum is aimed at fostering unity and peace among the people and engendering the socio-economic development of the region.

However, they were charged to take the lead in national development in discharging their responsibilities.

The forum hopes to collaborate with the federal and state governments to enhance grass root development. The forum will periodically provide opportunity for peer review and cross fertilization of ideas that will lead to a widespread prosperity of the north.

The forum also inaugurated an 18 member national executive committee that will run from a secretariat headed by a director general.