Tunji Wusu –
Local government units in Akwa Ibom State are not adequately represented in the governor’s Arise Agenda, according to the pro-democracy Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network.
The organization demanded that the governor ensure that all local governments have access to the money that have been given to them by the Federation Account Allocation Committee as well as the 10% of state income that is allotted to them under the 1999 Constitution.
The group announced their demands in a statement released on Monday in Uyo by its director, Franklyn Isong, and deputy director, Comrade Vincent Aluu, in charge of public affairs.
The organization questioned why the local government layer was not adequately represented in Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda and added that if the local government councils were fully included, the agenda’s rural development component would make more sense.
While criticizing the continuous usage of the “State Joint Local Government Account” by state governors, the group encouraged the governor to shift the narrative by ensuring that the state’s 31 local government councils have enough funding to carry out the duties that are set forth in the state constitution.
“We are requesting that the state government give local government councils full access to the money that were given to them by the Federation Account Allocation Committee in Abuja and 10% of the state’s internal revenue as required by the 1999 Constitution.
“CHRAN condemns the continuous use of the “State Joint Local Government Account” established by Section 162(6) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) by State Governors in the nation to siphon funds intended for the local government councils, which has left the 774 local government areas completely underdeveloped since 1999.
The development and performance at the third tier of government have remained appalling because the state has interfered with funds intended for the local governments. We implore Umo Eno to change the narrative and be an exemplary public servant by making sure that the 31 local government councils in Akwa Ibom are adequately funded to carry out their constitutionally assigned functions.
“We question why the local government administration, a crucial component of Akwa Ibom State’s overall development, is not adequately covered in Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda,” they said.
The local government councils must be completely integrated into the Agenda and made operational financially and administratively for the rural development component of the ARISE Agenda to have any real relevance.
The group called on the state governor to visit all 31 local government councils in order to get a firsthand understanding of the extent of underdevelopment at the local government areas. The group expressed disappointment over the level of infrastructural decay in the council areas caused by inadequate funding and/or the diversion of council funds.
