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The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Cross River State, Chief Yibala Inyang, says council areas in the state are well funded.
Inyang, who is also Chairman of Yakurr LGA, was reacting to a statement by the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Arthur Jarvis, that councils have been starved of funds.
Arthur Jarvis accused the state government of “handcuffing and choking” local government funds in violation of the Supreme Court judgment on LG autonomy.
This, he explained, has destroyed rural electrification, feeder roads for farmers, community health centres and the basic quality of life of rural dwellers, and promised to unshackle funds meant for the councils when elected governor.
Inyang, however, faulted the claim, saying it was unfounded and politically motivated.
“That’s a total fallacy because the local governments are having the best in terms of funding.
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“In this administration, we have power to the level that local governments are doing projects and partnering with the state to intervene in critical areas such as health, sanitation, local security and infrastructural development,” he said.
The ALGON boss explained that the joint account authorised by an enabling law between the state and LGs has ensured stability.
“Without the joint account some LGAs won’t be able to pay salaries and handle running costs in some months because of low allocation.
“That is why in this administration no LGA is owing salary in the state”, he said.
The Supreme Court on July 11, 2024, delivered a landmark judgment granting financial autonomy to the 774 local councils.
The Court recognised them as the third tier of Nigeria’s governance architecture and also held that the allocations should go directly to the accounts of the 774 local councils.
