The chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, (ALGON), Benue State chapter and chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Dr. Justine Shaku, has declared that Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia is releasing the federal government’s monthly allocations to the 23 local government areas in full and has never taken a kobo from the funds.
ALGON chairman stated that Governor Alia also granted full autonomy to the local government areas.
He said with the allocations the council chairmen are doing massive projects in their domains.
Shaku stated this in Katsina-Ala while receiving members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, who were on a tour of local government areas in the state.
Benue ALGON chairman said if not the security challenges that is consuming chunk of the funds meant for his local government’s development, he would have turned Katsina-Ala into a small London.
Shaku said, “Governor Hyacinth Alia is not taking LGAs funds. The governor is not cutting our allocations. Go to various local government areas and see how my chairmen are working as if they have converted the whole local government to construction sites. And where is the money coming from? Is the governor cutting the money and giving us back? So our local government funds are giving to us, nothing like cutting.
“What was happening before and what is happening presently, the project I made mention of, assuming the governor is taking the money back, I would have cut my hands to do the project with. What was the other previous government doing when autonomy was not granted and what is the present government doing as autonomy has been granted you will look at the different and know that the reality is there. The local government monies are being released to the local government and chairmen are doing wonders with it.”
He restated his commitment to fighting insecurity and rebuilding the broken economy of the area.
The chairman explained that, in pursuit of his government’s agenda, his administration has made impact in key areas including security, education, health, and youth and women empowerment.
According to him, his administration has established three science and technical schools, one each in Tor-Donga, Township, and Gbor, aimed at equipping the younger generation to tackle unemployment and achieve self-reliance.
He noted that the schools, the first of their kind to be established by a local government in the state, have created employment for over 100 youths in the area.
Shaku further highlighted other achievements to include, “the remodeling of the Chairman’s Residence, the Chairman’s Office, and the Legislative Council Chambers; the opening of a 20-kilometre road in Yooyo; the granting of tax holidays for farmers and traders; the declaration of free delivery services for pregnant women in all local government health facilities; the surgical operation of over 100 hernia patients; and free treatment for victims of accidents and bandit attacks.
“The remodeling of the Civil Defence, DSS, and Police Division offices, among others,” he said.
He added, “Food insecurity was another area that was devastating, so we initiated a programme tagged: ‘Eat What You Produce and Produce What You Eat.’
“We refurbished four tractors, including one donated by the Catholic Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese. We tilled the lands and donated them to farmers with farm inputs, and it boosted harvest in the area. This helped push down food prices.
“Nine council wards out of 12 were under siege and the headquarters was severely attacked, but with the help of the Governor and security agents, we have been able to curb that. Only one council ward is still under siege now.”
On his part, the chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State chapter, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, appealed for the ALGON chairman’s support in reviving and facilitating the Local Government Accountability Press Briefing at the NUJ House, Makurdi.
“An informed public is a stronger public, while accountable leadership is strengthened by a credible and responsible media,” he said.
