LOCAL government caretaker committee chairmen in Benue State have said local government areas in the state are yet to start enjoying financial autonomy, contrary to recent claims by Governor Hyacinth Alia, and the Special Adviser, Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (BLGCA), Dr Dennis Akura, who claimed that funds meant for local governments are sent directly to them from the Federation Account.
Six caretaker chairmen, who spoke with National Record Thursday on the condition of anonymity for fear of persecution, lamented that although they have intentions to execute some infrastructural projects, they have not started anything yet as they are still waiting for the release of funds.
“We intend to embark on some projects like rural electrification and culverts but we are waiting for the release of funds,” one of them told National Record.
Asked what he meant by waiting for the release of funds to them even as the governor and his adviser earlier said the third tier funds have been going directly to the LG coffers, the chairman explained that though funds were actually sent to them but they don’t have control over it because they are still using a joint account.
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“Monies come into local government account but we still have joint account that we sit to dispense these monies”, the caretaker chairman disclosed.
Another chairman who also complained about paucity of funds to perform his duties bluntly said local government councils have not been granted financial autonomy yet, noting however that the governor had the intention.
“His Excellency knows that it is good for the local governments to have financial authority and it was recently pronounced by him. That’s why we are waiting. If that is fully in place, it will be very massive for the development of local communities,” he acknowledged.
