Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has posited that the financial autonomy granted to the local governments in Nigeria by the supreme court of Nigeria is a call to serve Nigerians at the grassroots level to its fullest.

The institute lauded the verdict in a statement signed by Afolake Oso, its Acting Registrar/Chief Executive, on Monday.

“Above all, this will promote fiscal federalism and true autonomy at the subnational level thereby enhancing delivery of democratic dividends to the populace,” the CITN statement stated.

The institute also charged the Local Government chairmen to ensure judicious use of resources coming to them.

“It is also a call to service for leadership at the various local councils as they will have greater control over the resources of the Local Government thereby, allowing for structured planning and development.

“More than ever before, more accountability, prudence and transparency is required from the players at the local level, toward ensuring judicious use of resources for prompt payment of salaries of workers, provision of health and social services, educational facilities, and infrastructural development, among others,” the institute stated.

It went further to said that the development should spur the Local Government chairmen to put an end to the use of touts for revenue collection.

“As an institute devoted to promoting a professionalised tax system, we expect that this development will curb the unwholesome and uncivilised practice of touting and using non-state actors in revenue collection at the Local Governments, which arises from an unstructured political and ineffective tax system. This practice, though aimed at augmenting poor revenues, leaves the system very inactive,” CITN said.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court announced it unconstitutional for state governors to hold funds allocated for Local Government administrations.