Allow LGs Access To Funds, CSO Tells Gov Eno

Towards effective implementation of grassroots development, a Civil Society Organization (CSO) has underscored the need of robust relationship between the state and the local governments, noting that granting total autonomy to the third tier remains the right way forward.

The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), therefore, expressed concern that local governments in Akwa Ibom State are not properly captured in the Arise Agenda of the state governor, Pst Umo Éno.

It, therefore, called on the governor to ensure all the 31 LGAs have access to their funds as allocated to them by the Federation Account Allocation (FAAC) Committee in Abuja, and 10 percent of the state Internally Generated Revenues (IGRs) as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution.

Addressing journalists in Uyo, the state capital, the CHRAN director, Franklyn Isong and deputy director, Public Affairs, Comrade Vincent Aluu, yesterday, noted that it was time for the third tier of government to begin to account directly to the people.

The group wondered why the local government administration, an important system in the governance process, was not properly captured in the Governor Umo Eno’s ‘Arise Agenda’, adding that the rural development component of the policy framework would make more meaning if the local government councils are fully incorporated into the Agenda.

While condemning the continuous use of the “State Joint Local Government Account” by state Governors, the group urged Pastor Éno to change the narrative, by ensuring that the 31 councils in the state are adequately funded to carry out their constitutionally assigned functions.

He said: “We’re calling on the state government to allow the local government councils to have full access to their funds as allocated to them by the Federation Account Allocation Committee in Abuja, and 10 percent of the state IGRs as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution.

“CHRAN condemned the continuous use of the “State Joint Local Government Account” created by Section 162(6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), by State Governors in the country to syphon funds meant for the local government councils which has rendered the 774 local government areas completely under-developed since 1999 to date.

“We urged Umo Eno to change the narrative and be exemplary public servant, by ensuring that the 31 local government councils in Akwa Ibom are adequately funded to carry out their constitutionally assigned functions, adding that development and performance at the third tier of government have remained abyssal due to state interference with funds meant for the local governments.

“We wondered why the local government administration, an important sector in the overall development of Akwa Ibom state, was not properly captured in Governor Umo Eno’s ‘Arise Agenda’.

“The rural development component of the ‘Arise Agenda’ will make more meaning if the local government councils are fully incorporated into the Agenda and made operational financially and administratively, “ the statement reads in part.

The group which expressed disappointment over the level of infrastructural decay in the council areas due to poor funding due to diversion of council funds, called on the Governor to embark on a tour of the 31 LGAs in order to have a firsthand information about the level of under-development at the grassroots.