0
Tor Vande-Acka
MAKURDI – The Benue State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), has rejected allegations that funds belonging to the local government tier of government were being withdrawn without their knowledge or consent by the state government.
The association of chairmen also stressed that contrary to claims that they staged a walked out during the state’s Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC) meeting in protest over alleged deductions, the meeting was rescheduled due to other engagements.
The Association which declared that such claims were unfounded, also denied allegations that there were arbitrary withdrawals of its funds.
Vitalis Neji, State Chairman, ALGON, who disclosed this in a text titled “Re: False and Misleading Publication on Benue Local Government Finances”, the state ALGON, refuted the allegations, describing the publication as “false, misleading and malicious.”
Flanked by his colleagues, at a press conference held in Makurdi on Wednesday, Neji, who is also the chairman, Kwande Local Government Area (LGA), emphasised that the allegations were aimed at creating unnecessary tension, and also undermining the relationship that exists between the local and state government.
He explained that “For the avoidance of doubt, ALGON, Benue state chapter, states categorically that there is no crisis within the local government system as portrayed by the publication.
“We categorically refute the false, misleading and malicious publication authored by anti-developement elements captioned “Fresh Storm Rocks Benue’s Local Government Finances.
“The publication is a deliberate distortion of facts aimed at creating unnecessary tension, misleading the public and undermining the cordial working relationship between the Benue State Government and the 23 Local Government Councils.”
Additionally, he said, “Since assuming office, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has demonstrated a strong commitment to strengthening the administration of local governments by providing the enabling environment for councils to function effectively in line with the principles of local government autonomy.
“This has translated into remarkable achievements across the 23 Local Government Areas, including the award of contracts for the construction of 5-kilometre roads in various councils, regular payment of salaries and the execution of several people-oriented projects that have positively impacted our communities.
“We therefore reject in its entirety the allegation that funds belonging to local governments are being withdrawn arbitrarily or without the knowledge and consent of the duly elected Chairmen.
“Such claims are unfounded and exist only in the imagination of their promoters.”
Clarifying issues surrounding the
Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC) meeting, he explained that “Contrary to the misleading narrative being circulated, the meeting was not aborted because Chairmen staged a walkout in protest over alleged deductions.
“The meeting was simply rescheduled because a number of Chairmen were attending to official engagements within their respective local government areas, while others were away on national assignments.
“Any attempt to present this routine administrative adjustment as evidence of a financial crisis is mischievous and should be disregarded”, the association stressed.
Neji, therefore stated with emphasis that “ALGON Benue State remains focused on its constitutional mandate of promoting grassroots development and improving the welfare of our people and will not be distracted by baseless propaganda or sensational reports intended to undermine the progress being recorded across our local government councils.
“We call on members of the public to disregard the publication in its entirety, just as we urge media practitioners to uphold the ethics of the profession by verifying facts before publication in the interest of fairness, accuracy and responsible journalism” he advised.
In conclusion, he said, “Benue ALGON remains united in its support for the policies and programmes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the developmental agenda of Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
“We shall continue to partner with the State Government in delivering democratic dividends to the grassroots while promoting transparency, accountability and good governance across all local government councils.”