Following the financial autonomy status granted Local Government administrators in Nigeria by the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration, one would have expected that Council Chairmen would enjoy full financial freedom, but investigations by Igbere TV has shown that the reverse is the case.
This revelation comes just as a Transition Committee (T.C) Chairman in Abia State, recently, raised the alarm that the state government had reduced the statutory amount meant for projects in his Local Government Area.
Some days ago, a Council Chairman in Edo was suspended by Governor Obaseki for “discovering” some loopholes in the pay system which the state government had reportedly used to syphon money from the council since the era of the new law.
President Buhari had through the National Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) granted the 774 Local Governments across the country financial autonomy, raising the hope of rural dwellers for a respite from financial recklessness in their respective councils.
The autonomy also heightened the expectations of the people and awakened their consciousness to inquire on how the funds accruing to their respective Local Government Councils are utilized, thereby holding the Chairmen accountable for their funds.
But Hon. Chidiebere Ihenyeremadu (Jato), Transition Chairman of Obingwa Local Government Council, Abia State, has raised the alarm that the state government still hijacks the councils’ funds despite the new law.
A social media user from Obingwa had called out the council boss, accusing him of “docility” and “inactivity” especially as regards recruitment of aides and execution of projects, reports Igbere TV.
Reacting to these allegations, however, Hon. Ihenyeremadu through his media aide (Bonky Alwell) revealed that the state government had hijacked funds meant for such developments ‘as usual.’
According to the council boss, all the 17 Local Government chairmen in Abia were given N10 million each by the state govt for execution of projects, instead of the statutory N155 million, suggesting that the council enjoys no financial freedom.
“Referencing your post Augustine Akomas, I wish to respond on this your unwarranted attack on the Chairman of Obingwa Local Government without prejudice”, the chairman’s media aide said.
“The T. C. Chairman, Obingwa Local Government was appointed and sworn-in on 14th of February, 2019, a day prior to Presidential Elections, which election disbursements has been made by some Commissioners and other Governor’s Aides through Local Government Allocation…
“Nonetheless, no Local Government Chairman has the capacity to execute any project based on the Meagre running cost allotted to them.
“Of a truth, a huge amount was collected (Facility) with ALGON account in the name of election processes which wasn’t utilized for the purpose of collection.
“However, The only money given to Obingwa Local Government was the Ten Million Naira fund for projects which other Local Government’s received same last week. Meanwhile, whosoever that wears a shoe knows where it pitches him. ISIALA NGWA SOUTH CHAIRMAN may have used his project fund for a purchase of Vehicle’s. Perhaps, JATO in his wisdom had his F&GPC meetings today for proper and adequate utilization of said fund in line with the descriptions of F&G EXTRACT.
“Akomas, I would have advised you set your machineries or consult those in possession of this Obingwa project fund or seek the Chairman’s opinion before you strike…
JATO is a man of his words and wouldn’t shy away from responding to you if the need be. You can also verify if he has aids or not. If you have personal grievances, then you are on your own. The Obingwa project fund is not for personal aggrandizement”, he added.
Efforts to reach the Council Chairman for clarifications on the matter were unsuccessful. Similarly, Mr. John Okiyi-Kalu, Abia State Commissioner for Information, could not be reached for comments.
