Local Governments deny receiving direct funding from FG

Nasarawa state Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Aminu Maifata, has dispelled rumours that local councils have received direct funding from the federation account.

Maifata, who is also the chairman of Lafia Local Government Area told journalists on Tuesday in Lafia that it was untrue that the 13 council areas in the state had already received their June allocation directly from the federation account.

“Though there was a directive by the Nigerian Financial Unit that from June 2019, there would be a new financial regime at the local governments, but no local government has received June allocation yet.

“Because the Federal Allocation Account Committee (FAAC) meeting has not yet met to distribute allocation to the various levels of government in the country,” the ALGON chairman explained.

According to him, the allocation would still be sent through the joint account before onward distribution to the respective council areas.

Maifata however, commended the new financial regime, stressing that it would bring about prudence, accountability and transparency in handling the finances of local governments.

“We will henceforth, be accountable for whatever comes in and out of the coffers of our respective local governments; everyone will be on his toes.

“I believe that the new financial regime would bring about competition in development thereby improving the living conditions of the people at the grassroots,” he added.

The ALGON official further said that modalities were being put in place to calculate all the outstanding salaries of local government workers in the state with a view to offsetting them.