National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), has called on state governments to release the unpaid Paris Club Refunds due to affected local governments, as reconciled with the Federal Ministry of Finance.
This is as the group lamented the continued stifling of local government administration by the state government through the withholding of allocation meant for the development of the rural communities.
ALGON National President, Kolade Alabi lamented that the states have continued to deny the LG access to their full monthly Federation Account Allocations (FAAC).
According to him, the states culpable, are those operating with caretaker committees, or sole administrators instead of the duly elected local government officials as guaranteed by Section 7 of the Constitution.
“A prominent example is the continued withholding of most Local Governments’ share of Paris Club Refunds, although fully paid by the Federal Government between 2016 and 2018. No doubt, we cannot underestimate the unique position of local governments in addressing and resolving the immediate concerns and pressing problems of ordinary Nigerians for security (both human and food), health and wellbeing, affordable transportation and other fundamental elements of modern livelihood.
“This untoward action by the higher authority has deprived communities of good infrastructure and amenities, prevented the growth of social services and provision of more adequate security. It also led to the crumbling and eventual collapse of existing facilities designed to meet basic needs like housing, healthcare, primary education, potable water and food security.
“As the government closer to the people, we observed with great concern, the extremely difficult circumstances many Nigerian families are currently enduring. This was caused by soaring food prices, diminished household incomes, mounting insecurity, increased unemployment, high transportation costs and many other ills currently plaguing the nation’s economy and society.
“We equally recognise that most of these challenges are largely the result of decades of sub-optimal management of Nigeria’s economy and resources; inadequate provision of security structures, especially at local and community levels and the now ubiquitous effects of long-standing and deeply rooted official corruption.
“I believe that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu can fix and reform Nigeria, but it takes time and as they say “Patience is a virtue”. At this point, I call on our dear youth, civil society organizations and well-meaning Nigerians to exercise more patience and allow Mr President to undertake the process of returning the country to an enviable height amongst the comity of nations.
“Kindly note that what we are facing as a nation is not unique to Nigeria alone; it is a global phenomenon. A very clear example is the announcement by the government of the United Kingdom that their economy is in recession. Many Nigerians in the Diaspora calling for strikes are equally facing the same economic downturn wherever they are; I can assure you that things will get better.”
