General News
Ogun Executes N1.8bn Projects In Councils, Says SSG
Olasunmibo Aboluwade, Abuja
Ogun State Government on Friday gave further insights into local government administration and funding, demonstrating its commitment to the development of the third tier of government.
At a press conference addressed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tokunbo Talabi, and Economic Adviser and Commissioner-designate, Mr Dapo Okubadejo, held at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the government said the process of funding local governments in the state is transparent, open and in line with constitutional provision through the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC).
The government noted that it has been augmenting allocations meant for local governments in the state from the federation account due to shortfalls occasioned by COVID-19 and the economic downturn in the country.
According to Mr. Talabi, at no time was there any disagreement between the chairmen of the local governments and the state government.
He denied any diversion of statutory allocations and zero allocation, insisting that the present administration has been transparent, accountable, just and equitable in spreading developmental projects to all parts of the State with inputs from local government chairmen in the last few years.
The SSG said the government routinely sends money to the councils to execute some projects to better the lots of the people at the grassroots.
“Up to date, the state government has provided over N1.8 billion for all these local governments to do independent projects, in addition to whatever the state government has done, in addition to whatever the federal government has done and in addition to funding the deficit.
“The concept of zero allocation has not taken place. Otherwise, how have we been paying the teachers? How have we been paying the healthcare workers? How have we been paying the traditional council? How have we been paying the pensioners? How have we been paying the local government staff themselves? How is the chairman getting paid all these years? And then, we have what is called the security vote for the chairman.
“Because we are in an environment where people want to see what you have done, His Excellency, from time to time, makes money available to each of these local governments so that they do some community-based projects; projects that are closer to them.
“At the beginning of this administration, His Excellency asked the local government chairmen and other stakeholders to present three roads that are more important to them in the order of priority. That is why this administration can boast today that it has executed projects in all local governments. And these were not done without the consent and inputs of the local government operatives,” he said.
Giving more insight into the workings of the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), the Economic Adviser, and Commissioner-designate, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo noted that JAAC is a statutory and legal instrument that operates in other states.
Speaking on the process of fund allocation, Mr Okubadejo said: “The process of local government account, financing or funding started many years ago, with the introduction of what we refer to as the Joint Account Allocation Committee. That’s the body that is responsible for the administration and the management of the local government direct allocation from the federal government.
“When His Excellency took over the administration in 2019, and because of his pledge to be accountable and also be transparent, the Joint Account Allocation meeting started not long after that. That meeting is the one that is held every month. It is this administration that commenced, after a long time, the organization of the Joint Account Allocation meeting every month on the allocation of funds from the federal government to the local government and also the distribution of it.
“And that meeting comprises of representatives of local government chairmen and all the regular stakeholders in local government administration. So, you have local government chairmen, the association of pensioners, members of the traditional council and all other members that are seated every month at the Oba’s Complex to discuss every month, how much comes in for local governments and how that money is distributed.
“Now, the process is that the Joint Account Allocation Committee account is a completely separate account from the state government’s accounting process. It is managed and administered by different sets of staff that are involved in local government administration in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
“The account and signatories are separate from the State government. The Accountant General and the Director of Treasury are not signatories to the JAAC.
“On a monthly basis, the Local Government Service Commission prepares the vouchers of salaries and allowances of local government staff, SUBEB prepares that of all primary school teachers, Bureau of Local Government Pensioners prepares that of Pensioners, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs prepares that of traditional council members.
“All the data prepared by all these bodies are sent to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, where they are reviewed, collated, and validated. These figures are referred to as First Line Charges. The figures are taken to the JAAC meeting, and once the allocation comes from Abuja, with respect to the JAAC, they disclosed the amount at the meeting as money for Ogun State local government funding. They table all the distributions, which are the First Line Charges, and distribute on local government to local government basis.”
Okubadejo gave further clarification on the state government’s intervention to the local governments allocations to the 20 local governments.
In 2020, N43.121 billion was budgeted for First Line Charges, while N34.750 billion was received from the federation account for the 20 local government areas, leaving a deficit of N6.619 billion.
The commissioner-designate also noted that the total allocation released for local governments in 2021 was N38.723 billion, while payment for First Line Charges was N47.845 billion.
In 2022, N48.074 billion was the total allocation for the local governments from the federation account, while N54.182 billion was the actual amount needed to pay First Line Charges.
“As we were getting into 2023, just for this administration alone, we were coming with a deficit that the state government has paid for of almost N17.4 billion,” he said.
He acknowledged that in January 2023, N7.6 billion was received as against the N7.221 billion total First Line Charges, leaving a little surplus.
In February, it went back to the normal trend, which was lower JAAC allocation and higher First Line Charges of N3.79 billion and N4.3 billion. The same thing in March and April.
In May, he said there was an increase of N6.348 billion to that of First Line Charges of N4.531 billion.
“Now, when you look at the total carried forward as of July just from 2019 to July 2023, you will see that there is a deficit of N13.591 billion.
“The state government covers this deficit because it affects the salaries and pension of local government staff, primary school teachers, health workers, and traditional council members.
“Again, you recall that about two years ago, His Excellency promised that he was going to be paying N500 million every quarter to clear the backlog of gratuities from 2011, which has now been increased to N1 billion for both state and local government staff. And, paying the local government portion of the gratuities is an addition to the state government’s intervention.
“In addition to that, the governor also directed that certain quarterly allocations should be made directly to local governments for them to undertake certain developmental projects.
“When people talk about zero allocation being distributed, they should be enlightened to know that they cannot talk about allocation in isolation of the First Line Charges which is the first thing that must be paid in local government allocation,” he added.
Answering a question on Ecological Fund, the Commissioner-designate, said the fund is periodical as it is credited into the state and local account through JAAC. He stated that the fund has a high level of oversight as it is meant for flood control, afforestation, and clearing of drainages, among others.
Olasunmibo Aboluwade
The Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda has been appointed as Speaker following the impeachment of her boss, Mudashiru Obasa
The lawmakers are accusing Obasa of multiple statutory and financial infractions.
Lasbat who represents Apapa Constituency was a former Whip of the state Assembly.
Details later
Olasunmibo Aboluwade, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu yesterday said he had no regrets removing fuel subsidy saying failure to do so would have amounted to the country spending the lives of its future generations.
He also said the landmark tax reforms introduced by his administration has come to stay despite ongoing criticisms by some individuals and groups of people.
He also blamed the organisers of the recent food palliative distribution in some parts of the country that led to the deaths of some children
The President stated these during his first Media Chat aired by major television stations and anchored by Dr. Reuben Abati of the Arise News Channel.
Asked whether he regreted his decision to remove subsidy on petroleum, Tinubu declared that he stood by his action and would never regret doing so.
He said, “We were spending our future, We were spending our generations when we claimed we were giving subsidy to Nigerians on petrol. We were not investing.
“We were just deceiving ourselves. That reform (fuel subsidy removal), is necessary. I could see the small glass crashing back.
“This is the way out. The fact that we give out fuel, allow all the attacks. We cannot spend our future generations’ investment up front.”
Asked if he thinks the removal should have been done in phases, Tinubu said it would have worked that way
He said, “Please, no matter how you cut it or you slice it in segments, you stay out of the middle of the deal. So cut your coat, stick it to your side. It’s what we have to manage.
“We have no choice but to pull the handbrake. Otherwise, we are headed for slippery slopes. That could result in financial disaster, not just for us, but our children and grandchildren. Where is the inheritance? Where is the pathway to prosperity?
The President, who cracked a joke about one of his friends have stopped driving limousine cars since the fuel subsidy was removed, urged Nigerians to live within their means.
On the controversial tax bills, President Tinubu said the reform in the nation’s tax administration has come to stay.
He said, “Tax reform is here to stay. We cannot just continue to do what we were doing yesteryears into this economy.
“We cannot retool this economy with the old broken boat. I believe I have that capacity (to govern this country) I believe so.
“ That’s why I went into the race. I have focus, lots of focus, on what Nigeria needs and what I must do for Nigeria.
“It’s just not going to be El Dorado for everybody. But the new dawn is here. I’m convinced.
“You should be convinced. You (the Media) should help propagate that conviction.”
Tinubu scored high with the results already being recorded by his administration based on the economic reforms already being implemented.
He said, “When you look at the petroleum revenue, I can tell you, pushed me to my brag mode. In the last three months, I’m not taking a penny from the NNPC before I meet my other obligations.
“That’s excellent. That’s excellent. I repeat, without falling back to the old order, without going into ways and means, I’ve met all obligations.
Tinubu refused to speak on the Value Added Tax component of the tax reforms when asked to make some comments on it.
He said, “Why do you want to know that today? Tax matters are subject of debates, reviews, negotiations, not huge concessions. That’s all I’m going to say about that. I don’t mind much energy.”
On the tragic incidents that claimed the lives of many children due to a stampede that followed the distribution of food palliative by some nongovernmental organisations, Tinubu described the development as sad.
He blamed the organisers of those events and warned that anyone or groups who doesn’t have enough palliatives to give should not call many people to a single place.
Tinubu said, “I’ve never experienced this kind of incident, because you have to organize, you have to discipline, and if you don’t have enough to give, don’t attempt to give or publicize it.
“Every society, even in America, they have food banks, they have hungry people, in Britain, they have food banks, they have warehouses, they are organized, they take time to be on the queue and take turns to, to collect.
“ It’s unfortunate, we just have to learn from our past mistakes, it’s a reflection in our bus stops, where we don’t even want to be on queue before we rush into the vehicle.
“It is very sad, but we continue to learn from our mistakes. To me, I see this as a very grave error on the part of the organizers. However it doesn’t kill our happiness, but this shouldn’t be.
General News
Consider Deplorable Sate Of Federal Roads In South-South In 2025 Budget, Clark Tells Tinubu
Olasunmibo Aboluwade, Abuja
Prominent Niger Delta Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has noted with dismay, the poor state of major federal roads in the South-South geopolitical zone and pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on them in the 2025 national Budget.
Clark stated this in an open letter to Tinubu and made available to journalists in Abuja, on Sunday.
Part of the letter read, “As leader of the people of the South-South, I have no choice than to write to you on this matter of critical importance and pain to me and my people.
“That is to bring to your attention the very bad state of roads and links within the South-South zone where the revenue of this country come from.
“I was particularly shocked by the fact that the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), which returned from an official errand recently, came back with unpleasant reports of the poor state of South-South roads.
“The high-powered team attended the funerals of late National Chairman (Worldwide) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Nwanyanwu; former Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas and the late wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor (Mrs.) Kemi Eno,
“The PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali and members of the National Executive had to travel around by road and brought to us a very worrying state of affairs on the roads.
“A few examples will give you some perspectives on the situation:
Benin-Auchi Road. Under normal circumstances, this road takes commuters 2½ hours.
“At present, passengers, on the average, spend seven hours on that road. In some cases, it is so bad that travellers had to go through some rural communities in Ekiti state before coming back to the main road.
“Benin-Uromi-Sapele Road: this road which is at the heart of oil production normally takes commuters one hour. At present, its bad condition subject passengers to three to four hours for the trip.
“Sapele-Warri Road: the distance between these two communities is barely 43 kilometres but due to its bad condition, passengers now spend two hours on a journey that is normally about 30 minutes.
“Port Harcourt-Owerri Road: similarly, the road from Port Harcourt to Owerri is a mere distance of 95 kilometres which in the past commuters could arrive at their destination after 1½ hours. Sadly, with so many bad spots, this now require four hours.
“Uyo-Itu-Calabar Road: the road connecting Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State and Calabar, the capital of Cross River State is about 90 kilometres. Until recently, we cover that road in less than 2 hours.
“However, due to the terrible the state of the road at present, the minimum commuters spend on the road is six hours. In fact, our team described it as the worst road in the country due to its state, more so as it is connecting two important states.
“Calabar-Obudu Road: the distance between Calabar to Obudu the hometown of former Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas and where he was recently laid to rest is about 316 kilometres.
“I recall, as a politician, that we use to travel in and out of this road in those days in about four hours.
“ With the current situation, those who traverse this road spend between seven to eight hours on the road.
“The East-West Road: the East-West road which connects the entire region was deliberately conceived and commenced during the time of former president Olusegun Obasanjo as a deliberate intervention to assuage the neglect of the oil producing communities.
“Unfortunately succeeding administrations have paid lip service to completing this road.
“ We note that some efforts is being made to repair sections of the road but there is not much work going and the pace of work is slow.
“It is also noted that some of the contractors do not seem to have the competence to handle the nature of work in a complex water logged terrain as the Niger Delta.
“Mr. President, I realise that resources are lean and demands are many; it is however very difficult to understand why roads in the communities that produces the resources that keeps this country going are in such a terrible state.
“It is already very sad that the Niger Delta suffering from decades of environmental damage which would take us many generations to recover from.
“So, to imagine that we cannot commute among ourselves and daily our region produces billions to the national coffers is difficult to fathom.
“At the current production level of 1.8 million barrels per day, which we the leaders of the region working with government have achieved and are still working to increase this,
“It is difficult to understand why the roads in our region should be in this very deplorable condition.
“With oil prices now at US$73 per barrel, we reckon that we are producing enough and we in the Niger Delta cannot be in this condition. What is required to fix the roads is not even up to a week’s production of oil.
“I am writing this passionate appeal to you to declare an emergency in the coming 2025 Budget and also direct your Minister of Works and its relevant agencies to redouble their efforts to repair these roads.”