This is as the group called on the governor to ensure all the local governments have access to their funds as allocated to them by the Federation Account Allocation Committee and 10% of the state’s internally generated revenue as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution.
The group made the demands known in a statement issued in Uyo, by its Director, Franklyn Isong and Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Comrade Vincent Aluu, on Monday.
The group wondered why the local government tier was not properly captured in Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, adding that the rural development component of the agenda would make more meaning if the local government councils are fully incorporated.
While condemning the continued use of the “State Joint Local Government Account” by state governors, the group urged the governor to change the narrative, by ensuring that the 31 local government councils in the state are adequately funded to carry out their constitutionally assigned functions.
“We’re calling on the state government to allow the local government councils to have full access to their funds as allocated to them by the Federation Account Allocation Committee in Abuja, and 10 per cent of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution.
“CHRAN condemns the continuous use of the “State Joint Local Government Account” created by Section 162(6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), by State Governors in the country to syphon funds meant for the local government councils which has rendered the 774 local government areas completely underdeveloped since 1999.
“We urge Umo Eno to change the narrative and be an exemplary public servant, by ensuring that the 31 local government councils in Akwa Ibom are adequately funded to carry out their constitutionally assigned functions, because the development and performance at the third tier of government have remained abyssal due to state interference with funds meant for the local governments.
“We wonder why the local government administration, an important sector on the overall development of Akwa Ibom State, is not properly captured in Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda
“The rural development component of the ARISE Agenda will make more meaning if the local government councils are fully incorporated into the Agenda and made operational financially and administratively, the statement reads in part.
The group which expressed disappointment over the level of infrastructural decay in the council areas due to poor funding and/or diversion of council funds, called on the state governor to embark on a tour of the 31 local government councils in order to have firsthand information about the level of underdevelopment at the local government areas.
