Katsina State Governor Umaru Radda has revealed that local government areas spent approximately N128 billion through the joint account.
According to him, the local government account is an integral part of policy implementation, and despite facing insecurity and socioeconomic challenges, they have managed to manage the joint funds collectively.
The governor’s statement comes amid the recent Supreme Court judgment on the state and local government joint account, which has raised concerns about joint funding and loan repayment.
Governor Radda’s disclosure highlights the significant amount of resources channelled into the state’s local governments, emphasising the importance of joint decision-making and collective fund management in addressing the state’s socioeconomic challenges.
At a joint meeting with state House of Assembly members, executive members, and local council chairmen, the governor disclosed that between June 2023 and June 2024, the federal allocation to local governments in the state amounted to approximately N130.1 billion.
In a breakdown of the expenditure, Governor Radda revealed that N66 billion was spent on salaries, ₦10.1 billion on pensions and gratuities, N12.13 billion on security, and N376.6 million on security requests from some local governments. Additionally, N4 billion was spent on direct running costs to local government councils.
The governor also highlighted that N15.1 billion was allocated for various projects by the local governments, N360 million for school instructional materials, N1.58 billion for foreign and local scholarships, and N939.8 million towards Hajj.
Furthermore, Governor Radda disclosed that N6.14 billion was spent on food palliatives, with an additional N3.1 billion in palliative care and salah packages paid directly to local government and LGEA workers. N3.84 billion was used to purchase fertilisers, and N1.19 billion was spent on agrochemicals.
The governor acknowledged the challenges posed by the recent Supreme Court judgment on the state and local government joint account, emphasising the need for joint decision-making in policy implementation. He expressed concerns about the judgment’s implications for loan repayment and future Subsidiary Loan Agreements, calling for federal government clarification.
Governor Radda highlighted the state’s efforts to address insecurity, establish the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, and reduce insecurity in frontline local governments. He emphasised the importance of continued collaboration in fighting insecurity and socioeconomic development.
As affirmed, a committee for fund spending in the local government areas should be set up to directly impact the people in various communities across the state.
The governor then signed the 2024 supplementary budget of N481,708,830,120.28 into law after the speaker of the state assembly, Yahya Daura, presented the bill to him and announced his one-month vacation.
