Local Governments in Kwara State are Financially Autonomous – Governor Ahmed

The Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed reiterated that the 16 local government councils in the State are financially autonomous.

The governor, who said this while fielding questions from journalists during an interactive radio programme, tagged ‘The Governor Explains’, noted that the LGs receive and control their federal allocation directly without interference from the state government.

He explained that contrary to public perception that the state shares account with the local governments, the allocation from the federal government goes directly into the joint account of the 16 local governments who then appropriate the monies autonomously.

Continuing, he emphasized that the LGs also receive 10 per cent of the state’s internal revenue monthly as specified by the constitution.

Governor Ahmed expressed support for the nationwide clamour for the autonomy of local governments, adding however that the desired autonomy will only yield desired results if the third tier is reformed along economic lines.

According him, the solution to the lingering salary crises at the LG level is enhanced internal revenue as any external inflows can only achieve short term results.

Alhaji Ahmed therefore called on the Transition Implementation Committee Chairperson’s and incoming executive chairmen to focus on revenue generation as a means of ensuring the survival of the local government councils. (KWASG)