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Wike Has Not Tampered With LG Funds -ALGON
The Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in Rivers State and Caretaker Chairman of Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Sir Sunny Ejekwu, has dismissed claims in some quarters that Governor Nyesom Wike was tampering with council funds.
Ejekwu, with Vice Chairman of ALGON, Bright Amaewhule, in a phone-in media chat by Silverbird Communications in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said such claims were unfounded as the governor has allowed chairmen to manage their funds without intervention.
He explained that, “the funding of the various local governments does come from the state since local governments are the third tier of government and their allocation comes directly from the Federal Government.”
The Port Harcourt City Caretaker chairman challenged those in doubt to approach the Federal Allocation, Revenue and Fiscal Commission and the Ministry of Finance as the figures are made public for everybody to see.
He blamed the dwindling economic fortunes of the country as responsible for the paucity of funds at the local level, while picking holes in the policy of Federal Government to fix oil benchmark above what is sold in the international market leading to reduction to the monthly allocation to the three tiers of government.
On his part, Vice Chairman of ALGON, Amaewhule, argued that even though state and local councils run a joint allocation account, yet Wike or any state government official have not made deduction from monies accruing to councils.
The disposition of the Wike administration according to Amaewhule has made councils to pay salaries promptly unlike in the previous administration.
Responding to why some local government councils have not paid their staffers, the ALGON vice chairman blamed the situation on the on-going staff audit exercise as ordered by the Local Government Service Commission.
In his words, “When we assumed office we discovered that there were a lot of ghost names such that the monthly allocation could not pay workers’ salaries. So, this new year the plan is to eliminate the ghost workers completely before the workers are paid.”
While pleading for patience, Amaewhule assured council staffers that once the exercise is completed they would receive their pay.
Members of the Joint Federal Staff Co-operative Thrift and Loans Society, agitating for removal of their Chairman, Mr Sunday Antai, at Radio House in Abuja yesterday
The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.
The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee
highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.
“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.
Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.
The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.
