The Abia chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has denied allegations that the state government hijacked local government funds.
The Chairman of ALGON, Mr Chinedu Ekeke said this on Friday in Umuahia, while responding to questions by newsmen on recent political developments in the state.
This denial comes in response to recent claims made by a former Abia Commissioner for Information and Strategy.
The former commissioner had alleged that local governments in Abia had been hijacked and their funds don’t reach the councils.
He had cited the example of the High Court in Ukwa West Local Government Area being overgrown with weeds due to lack of funds.
However, the ALGON chairman who was flanked by colleagues from the 17 LGAs said: “We are not aware that any funds are being hijacked.
“So the federal government is the one that shares allocation to both the states and the local governments.
“And since we took over, funds have not been coming to local governments from the federal government.”
Ekeke, who is the Mayor of Isuikwuato LGA, explained that one could only talk of hijack if funds were coming directly to the local government from the federal government but taken over by the governor.
Giving further clarification, the chairman said that the state government under the leadership of Gov. Alex Otti had been funding the local government from the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) account.
He emphasised that the funds go to the JAAC account, but not directly to the local government.
“So I believe that the federal government is still trying to figure out a way to deal with that.
“But as we talk, there is a strong collaboration between the local governments in Abia and the state government.
“The local governments are properly funded,” Ekeke said.
The association passed a vote of confidence on Otti, in recognition of his demonstrable performance and purposeful leadership.
(NAN)
