Abiodun, Amosun Administrations Crippled LG's Existence In Ogun - NULGE

ABEOKUTA - The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and his immediate predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun of responsible for the non-performance of local government in the state.

The NULGE President in Ogun State, Ayuba Olatunji, stated this last weekend while speaking with THE ENCOUNTER NEWS in Abeokuta.

Ayuba explained that, both Abiodun and Amosun's administration further crippled the existence of the council areas in the state with their failure to remit the statutory 10% State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the local government treasury and granting full autonomy to the LGs to access their allocation directly.

Ayuba who took a swipe at other state governors for the 'deterioration' of the Local Government administration in Nigeria, lampooned Governor Abiodun and Senator Amosun for weakened the system by hijacking funds meant for the councils.

He commended Governor Gbenga Daniel for injecting more funds into the local government and allowing them to be responsible for rural infrastructural development in their council areas.

The NULGE boss maintained that the LG's fund were untapped by the state government during Otunba Daniel's administration era compare to what is currently obtainable in the state.

He identified funding, administrative and political challenges as some of the factors crippling the LG administration in Nigeria.

"Dapo Abiodun and Amosun governments only remember local government during election period. It is then they remember local government exist. They will come and campaign and instruct the local government chairmen to mobilize people for them.

"If you want to do marriage, they will say go to local government, if they want to delineate wards, they will remember local government. But when it comes to proper administration and funding of local government, local government is nothing. That is when they will say LG are corrupt that is they are taking over their responsibilities. 

"In terms of funding, all of them committed and run against the provision of the constitution. But in comparison, the OGD-led administration injected more resources into the local government than any other government in Ogun state.

"During his era, the IGR of the LG remains with the LG, it is untapped by the state government, and the funds of the local government get to the local government, when it comes to the area of participation, local government are requested to make contribution. It is from the LG's purse that such amount is paid to the state. It is like a counterpart funding to the state government.

"The other area where OGD administration erred is the area of 10% of the state IGR that is supposed to come to the LG. But as at that time, you can see economical development and infrastructural development at the local government. Roads are constructed and maintained during that time, and markets and rural electrification are going on that time. 

"Today we can see the state of our roads and that started during Amosun period. In fact, the imbroglio facing the local government in terms of funding was compounded during Governor Amosun's administration. It is at that time the issue of taking over local government funds started, it is then all resources of local government are used to pay all primary school teachers' salaries, on analysis, Amosun administration only contributed 20% to the funding of local government and for paying local government primary school teachers salaries, from the local government allocation it accounted for 70% and when that is paid, the local government is left with nothing. 

"All they (governors) will allege is that LGs are corrupt, that's why we are taking over the administration. For someone battling a headache, is cutting the head the antidote?

"The question is, what is the level of corruption at the LG level compared to the state and the Federal levels? How many LG chairmen have been convicted for corruption, what is the quantum of the resources coming to the LG to the extent that the LG administration is being alleged of corruption.

"But they have forgotten that in the past, LGs were performing wonderfully well. Were there no administrations at that time? Were they no state governments at that time? It's food for thought for all of us," he submitted.

Olatunji maintained that granting LG autonomy would allow councils to perform their duties optimally and tame the governors' excesses.

He, however, expressed confidence that the Ogun State House of Assembly would pass the LG Autonomy Bill slated for next week.

Ayuba hinted that Abia, Edo, and Kogi Assemblies have already passed the bills, describing it as a welcome development.