spokesman for the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit NFIU, Mr Sani Tukur, confirmed on Thursday that the NFIU directive to financial institutions to dishonor cheques emanating from State governors on behalf of local government councils from 1st June 2019, had recorded 100 per cent compliance; but the Cross River state governor, Senator Ben Ayade has said that the move will rather cripple the councils as they are not financially viable to survive on their own.

While reacting to the directive during a valedictory session with his dissolved cabinet recently, Ayade said: “I hear you people are talking about local government autonomy. How much has the local government earned and how much has the state given.

“The direct financial support to pay local governments, we put N11.9billion. In addition, the liability of the local governments to the state today stands at N42billion. If the local governments are left on their own, wholly, one wonders what will happen.

“I don’t know why they (advocates of council autonomy) think every state is the same. In some states, if you allow the autonomy of the local governments, in three months, the level of kidnapping and crime rates would destroy this country. So, don’t make statements without proper research.

“Take Cross River State, in the first 17 months of our administration, there was no month we didn’t put in N300million or N400million for local governments to be able to pay salaries. There are some months we put N1.2billion to enable them pay salaries and we have never done deductions from them, even when our law provides for 27 per cent, plus the recent four per cent we did on infrastructure, which brings it to 31 per cent. We have held our calm.

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“So, when people come talk about autonomy, it is the function of the income of the state. If you ask for the House autonomy, you have the autonomy, but let us see how the House will pay its salaries on the basis of autonomy, when indeed what has come is less than salaries, plus general overheads.”

He added: “Autonomy works where the income is sufficient for everyone to get his/her quota. But when what is coming is less than operating cost, it needs a bit of creativity.”

It will be recalled that recently, the governor threatened to arrest and prosecute the state chairman of an opposition party in the state, the African Action Congress AAC for alleging that the governor withdrew four billion Naira from the state and local government joint account shortly before the last general elections for “quick wins” projects in the LGAs.

While the governor did not deny withdrawing the sum, he quickly dispatched his deputy, Professor Ivara Esu to go round the LGAs and commission the “quick win” projects which the 4billion was allegedly spent on.

The inspection exercise turned out to be a national jest on social media after pictures emerged of the state deputy governor commissioning traffic lights, boreholes and non functional diesel powered generators bought to provide electricity for communities.





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The point is that most local governments and their funds are being pocketed by some dubious state governors....

See excuses..

Allow them first and let the masses be the judges

Let the LGs find their level.

They would demand more tax but the people would demand more work from them.

They would not easily be used in influencing state and presidential elections as they no longer rely on those at the top.

Na lie

Na the money to play around with de hungry una.

This greedy governors again ehh!!

Jmk9292:
The point is that most local governments and their funds are being pocketed by some dubious state governors....

Like ayade

“Take Cross River State, in the first 17 months of our administration, there was no month we didn’t put in N300million or N400million for local governments to be able to pay salaries. 

His opinions doesn't matter much. Cross River's dont sustain themselves via their own IGR hence why they need state money just to pay salaries. I dont know if state provides statutory 10% of their IGR to local governments though.

Cross River is one of the few states that ratified LG autonomy amendment. Most the other state that refuses to vote on issue anyway. He's right about them needing to raise their interal revenue.

Approved for LG autonomy: Benue, Plateau, Niger, Bauchi, Sokoto, Bayelsa, Cross River, Kwara and Ogun

Voted Against LG autonomy: Edo, Rivers and Imo

Anyhow you do it in naija, the masses will suffer. Give LGs autonomy, the chairman will steal and enrich themselves with little or nothing to show at the local level. Give power over LGs to governors, the local man still suffers! Na wa!

It's because of emperor governors like this that makes the noble initiative by the NFIU a big relief & welcome development.

backnbeta:
Anyhow you do it in naija, the masses will suffer. Give LGs autonomy, the chairman will steal and enrich themselves with little or nothing to show at the local level. Give power over LGs to governors, the local man still suffers! Na wa!

In order for local government to function properly they're needs to be credible, transparency in budget and ncrease tax revenue. Most local governments dont even have a website or publicly available budget. Then regular city council meetings will keep everyone informed.

If all that fails just accept your LG is mediocre at best or dysfunction at worst. You'll just have to move.

Ayade partly has a point. If our Federal officials are so mediocre and crude, even rewarding mace snatchers, I wonder how the LG ones will be like.

Zero idea of financial management or raising IGR.

Lol..

senatordave1:
spokesman for the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit NFIU, Mr Sani Tukur, confirmed on Thursday that the NFIU directive to financial institutions to dishonor cheques emanating from State governors on behalf of local government councils from 1st June 2019, had recorded 100 per cent compliance; but the Cross River state governor, Senator Ben Ayade has said that the move will rather cripple the councils as they are not financially viable to survive on their own.

While reacting to the directive during a valedictory session with his dissolved cabinet recently, Ayade said: “I hear you people are talking about local government autonomy. How much has the local government earned and how much has the state given.

“The direct financial support to pay local governments, we put N11.9billion. In addition, the liability of the local governments to the state today stands at N42billion. If the local governments are left on their own, wholly, one wonders what will happen.

“I don’t know why they (advocates of council autonomy) think every state is the same. In some states, if you allow the autonomy of the local governments, in three months, the level of kidnapping and crime rates would destroy this country. So, don’t make statements without proper research.

“Take Cross River State, in the first 17 months of our administration, there was no month we didn’t put in N300million or N400million for local governments to be able to pay salaries. There are some months we put N1.2billion to enable them pay salaries and we have never done deductions from them, even when our law provides for 27 per cent, plus the recent four per cent we did on infrastructure, which brings it to 31 per cent. We have held our calm.

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“So, when people come talk about autonomy, it is the function of the income of the state. If you ask for the House autonomy, you have the autonomy, but let us see how the House will pay its salaries on the basis of autonomy, when indeed what has come is less than salaries, plus general overheads.”

He added: “Autonomy works where the income is sufficient for everyone to get his/her quota. But when what is coming is less than operating cost, it needs a bit of creativity.”

It will be recalled that recently, the governor threatened to arrest and prosecute the state chairman of an opposition party in the state, the African Action Congress AAC for alleging that the governor withdrew four billion Naira from the state and local government joint account shortly before the last general elections for “quick wins” projects in the LGAs.

While the governor did not deny withdrawing the sum, he quickly dispatched his deputy, Professor Ivara Esu to go round the LGAs and commission the “quick win” projects which the 4billion was allegedly spent on.

The inspection exercise turned out to be a national jest on social media after pictures emerged of the state deputy governor commissioning traffic lights, boreholes and non functional diesel powered generators bought to provide electricity for communities.





Sarrki
Mynd44
Ngeneukwenu
Tuniski
Freeze
Musician
Jaxxy
Oghenaogie
Metaphysical
Oshigun
Hotfreezers
Ikpeazukerosine
Kyase
Kahal
Sanchezo1
Sirbunky
Osagyefo

nope I totally disagree with professor ayade on this one. local government autonomy is the best way for our local government developments. more projects will be done by the local governments in all the communities they will feel the I of the local government chairmen.

Buhari got it right on this one.