Abia ALGON Dismisses Allegations of State Government Hijacking LGA Funds

ALGON Chairman, Abia State, Chinedu Ekeke

The Abia State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has dismissed allegations that the state government has hijacked funds meant for local government areas (LGAs).
The ALGON Chairman, Mr. Chinedu Ekeke, made the clarification on Friday in Umuahia while responding to questions from journalists on recent political developments in the state.
Ekeke’s reaction followed claims by Chief Don Ubani, a former Abia State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, who alleged that local governments in the state had been taken over and that statutory funds no longer reach the councils.
Ubani had cited the condition of the High Court in Ukwa West Local Government Area, which he claimed had become overgrown with weeds due to lack of funding, as evidence of the alleged hijack.
However, the ALGON chairman, who was flanked by chairmen from the 17 local government areas in the state, refuted the allegation.
“We are not aware of any funds being hijacked,” “The Federal Government is responsible for sharing allocations to both the states and the local governments. Since we assumed office, funds have not been coming directly to the local governments from the Federal Government.”Ekeke said.
Ekeke, who also serves as the Mayor of Isuikwuato Local Government Area, explained that allegations of hijacking could only arise if allocations were sent directly to local governments but were intercepted by the state government.
He further clarified that under the administration of Governor Alex Otti, local governments in Abia State are funded through the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC).
“The funds go into the JAAC account and not directly to the local governments,” “The Federal Government is still working on how to address that arrangement.”he explained.
According to him, there is currently a strong working relationship between the state government and the local governments in Abia.
“As we speak, there is effective collaboration between the local governments and the state government. The local governments are properly funded,” Ekeke said.
The association also passed a vote of confidence in Governor Otti, citing his demonstrable performance and purposeful leadership.