A pro-democracy group, Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network, has expressed deep concern that local government areas in Akwa Ibom State are not properly captured in the Arise Agenda of the governor, Pastor Umo Éno.
This is as the group called on the governor to ensure all the local governments have access to their funds as allocated to them by the Federation Account Allocation Committee and 10% of the state’s internally generated revenue as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution.
The group made the demands known in a statement issued in Uyo, by its Director, Franklyn Isong and Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Comrade Vincent Aluu, on Monday.
The group wondered why the local government tier was not properly captured in Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, adding that the rural development component of the agenda would make more meaning if the local government councils are fully incorporated.
While condemning the continued use of the “State Joint Local Government Account” by state governors, the group urged the governor to change the narrative, by ensuring that the 31 local government councils in the state are adequately funded to carry out their constitutionally assigned functions.
We’re calling on the state government to allow the local government councils to have full access to their funds as allocated to them by the Federation Account Allocation Committee in Abuja, and 10 per cent of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution.
