NIGERIA – Governors across the 36 states of the federation have indicated their readiness to implement the financial autonomy granted to the local governments by the Supreme Court in July last year.
Consequently, they have directed their chairmen of local government areas (LGAs) to open their accounts for the direct disbursement of their funds from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
It was learnt that the governors’ decision to finally embrace the autonomy for the third-tier of government was reinforced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that his administration was not out to take over the control of local governments from them through the apex court judgement.
Tinubu stated this in Lagos when the governors led by Vice President Kashim Shettima paid him New Year homage on Wednesday.
While receiving the governors, Tinubu stressed their critical role in driving Nigeria’s development and prosperity, saying their leadership at the subnational level was central to achieving food security, economic prosperity and rapid national growth.
The meeting was attended by members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) at his Ikoyi residence.
Tinubu told them that, “You are the most important link to Nigeria’s prosperity and development. The federal government accounts for about 30 to 35 per cent of the allocated revenue; the rest comes to you. The agricultural value chain depends on you. You own the land, and the job is in your hands.”
He called for stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments to address pressing challenges, including local government autonomy, agricultural productivity and currency stability.
The president, who expressed his commitment to local government development and autonomy, stressed its importance for grassroots development and dispelled the rumours of disagreement with the governors.
“We will not fight within us. I will drive the change; you control your local governments. You can restore hope by effectively fulfilling what the people expect at the grassroots level.
“There was gossip that we had disagreements on local government autonomy. No. Just drive development at the local government. Nobody wants to take them away from you, but we need collaboration. Let’s do it together and ensure Nigeria is better off for it,” he said.
Prior to the meeting, there were indications that the direct disbursement of funds to the councils would begin this month.
A national daily (not LEADERSHIP Weekend) and an online news medium reported that the payment of funds to the councils’ accounts would begin in January.
Some council chairmen and top state officials, who spoke with our correspondents, said they were aware of the development.
The Osun State government said it complied with the federal government’s directive to states to open accounts, where local government allocations from FAAC would be paid.
The state president of NULGE, Dr Kehinde Ogungbangbe, told LEADERSHIP Weekend in Osogbo that the implementation of local government autonomy was not under any threat in Osun State.
According to him, the state government took a decisive action by instructing all the local governments to open accounts so that their allocation would go directly from the Federation Account which they have done.
He said, “The first thing they did was they informed all the local governments to open an account so that the allocation will be going directly from the Federation Account which I believe they have done. We don’t have any threat at all whatsoever.
“I think the one they will receive directly from the Federation Account now will be from this next allocation (January) and the accounts in which the money will go into have been opened by all the local governments in Osun. That arrangement was coordinated by the Ministry of Local Government.”
The state commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, said since it is a federal government policy, it becomes imperative for states to key-into it and Osun State was not an exception.
He however urged the federal government to factor-in all that is necessary to be taken care of by the local governments such as payment of primary school teachers’ salaries and those of traditional rulers.
https://youtu.be/-TAA35lttN4?si=9aKvCiSJblgZsSQ8
In Kwara State, some council chairmen said they were eagerly awaiting the take-off of the direct allocations from FAAC this month.
Though, ALGON leadership was yet to be constituted in the state, one of the council chairmen, Mr Femi Yusuf, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, declared, “For us council chairmen in Kwara State, we are 100 percent ready for the take-off of direct allocation from FAAC. It will fast-track the development of our local governments and state.
By Damilola Adeleke| January 4, 2025
Adeleke Damilola (ACTION) is a versatile content writer with expertise in news writing and a seasoned media professional and broadcast specialist. Currently serving as News Editor for DNews Info, Damilola is also the CEO of the ACTION brand, committed to shaping lives and establishing a legacy of excellence for present and future generations.
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