In order for the local governments in the state to fulfil their duties, the Ogun State Government stated on Tuesday that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration frequently had to supplement the cash allotted to them from the Federation Account.
In response to a letter allegedly written by Mr. Wale Adedayo, the chairman of the Ijebu East Local administration, in which he claimed that since 2021, the state had allocated zero revenue to local governments, the administration claimed that it had never interfered with local government finances.
It questioned how boosting the monies given to local councils to help them fulfil their commitments amounted to taking control of their money.
The Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC), which is recognised by the constitution, is in charge of managing monies intended for local governments in the state, according to the statement.
According to a press release from the state governor’s chief press secretary, Mr. Lekan Adeniran, JAAC members make sure that the third tier of government receives the necessary funding to function at its best.
It was mentioned that the most recent JAAC conference took place last week and was heavily covered by the media.
At the meeting, which took place in the Conference Hall of the Oba’s Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, more than N5 billion was distributed among the 20 local government areas, more than N2 billion of which went towards paying teachers.
“The JAAC split among 20 local governments N4.531 billion, N4.444 billion, and N4.497 billion, respectively, on first line charges between May 2023, when the Governor was sworn in for a second term, and July 2023. Just last week, N5.2 billion was shared among local governments for the month of August, according to the statement.
According to the statement, the JAAC is made up of key players in local government administration, including the chief economist to the governor, the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, the accountant general of the state, the permanent secretary, local government and chieftaincy affairs, all 20 local government chairmen, one representative from each of the state’s four traditional councils, and a representative of SUBEB, NULGE, local government pensioners.
Its task is to hold monthly meetings to make sure that funding requests for local governments are appropriately presented and discussed.
The state administration fully discloses the funds it received from the federation account during such meetings.
First-line expenses, including as salaries and pensions for local government employees, primary school teachers, healthcare workers, and traditional leaders are all presented for discussion and funding distribution at JAAC meetings, according to the statement.
According to the statement, this same pattern has been followed ever since Prince Dapo Abiodun assumed control of the state in 2019.
According to the statement, Governor Abiodun recently ordered the local governments to determine which roads in their jurisdictions were crucial and needed government attention. Some of these roads had already been built.
Similar to this, some schools have undergone rehabilitation, while others are undergoing remodelling.
Additionally, “the state government also periodically disburses funds to all local governments for developmental projects,” the statement continued.
