Local Government Councils in Edo State may not be able to meet their monthly financial obligations for October 2024, arising from the non release of September 2024 Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) fund currently in custody of the State Government.
The absence of Governor Godwin Obaseki on the seat of power has made it impossible for elected Council chairmen in the State; to attend the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting where decisions are made on how the Councils’ funds would be allocated and appropriated to them.
Meanwhile, Elected Local Government Councils chairmen are in a log jam honouring contractual agreements.
As the poor performance of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and overhead cost in relation to declaring IGR due to partial compliance, and alleged civil disobedience by some citizens in the State ahead of the November 12th handing over date by Obaseki; have made things worse for them.
In addition, the dwindling oversight of Local Government Service Commission and the State House of Assembly seem not to be helping the gloomy situation. It’s either they lack ability, will or both to provide oversight function in the administration.
But staffers across the 18 Local Government Councils were paid their September salaries from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State ahead of the September 21st Edo State governorship poll.
Though no reason has been given by the State government for the delay, Council sources hinted that five per cent allocation for traditional rulers for the month of September has not been approved by the Governor who is in Europe with his family; to shake off the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defeat in the election.
Notably, the delay in implementation of financial Autonomy granted to Local Government Councils in Nigeria by the federal government, has continuously tied the development of the third tier of government to the apron string of the State.
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