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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Kogi youths under the auspices of Igala Youth Council (IYC) have staged a protest at the National Assembly to draw legislators’ attention to the persistent and unlawful misappropriation of Local Government Autonomy Funds under the current administration of the state.
The youths, in partnership with all concerned Civil Society Organisations, claimed that as advocates for good governance, transparency and accountability, they strongly condemn the systematic diversion of funds meant for grassroots development, workers’ welfare and community advancement across the 21 LGAs of the state.
President-General of the Igala Youth Council, Onogu Collins, who spoke on behalf of all Kogi State Civil Society Organisations, said that they arrived at the conclusion after conducting a case study of three LGAs, comprising Dekina, Yagba East and Adavi.
Enumerating the constitutional violations, the youths noted: “Despite the constitutional provision guaranteeing full autonomy of local government finances by the Federal Government, the state government continues to interfere with and control funds meant for local governments.
“This illegal practice has resulted in staggered payment of salaries to local government workers, stalled development projects across rural communities, worsening poverty and underdevelopment at the grassroots level and weakening of democratic structures at the third tier of government,” they lamented.
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In their demands, the Igala youths noted: “We state unequivocally that this is a direct violation of the constitution and gross misconduct, and we demand immediate rectification.
“We demand an independent audit of all local government allocations in Kogi State from 2024 to date, immediate investigations by the National Assembly, the EFCC, ICPC and relevant federal oversight agencies, full access to statutory funds for local government chairmen, free from executive interference and stop the chairmen from returning local government funds back to the state,” he said.
In the petition they sent to the leadership of the National Assembly, the youths, who released detailed releases of funds, urged the legislators to: “An independent audit of all local government allocations in Kogi State from 2024 to date.
“Immediate investigations by the National Assembly, the EFCC, ICPC and relevant federal oversight agencies and full access to statutory funds for local government chairmen, free from executive interference and stop the chairmen from returning local government funds back to the state,” they appealed.
