When many local government councils in Nigeria are in under the spell of states in controlling their monthly allocations, Adamawa State has changed the narrative by allowing its councils to enjoy financial autonomy.
At a news briefing in Yola on Sunday, Mr Jingi Rufai, the Chairman of Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON), Adamawa State Chapter, admitted that it enjoys local government autonomy in the state.
According to hum, the association conducts monthly meeting where funds and projects are distributed equitably for proper execution across the state’s 21 LGAs.
“For better understanding, ALGON has its own source of allocation directly from the federation account and that is why there is monthly Joint Account Meeting.
“The meetings are chaired by the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs where funds and projects are distributed for proper execution at the grassroots”, he said.
Rufai stated that at no time did the state governor interfere in their meetings and that the Chairmen were contented with their monthly allocations, deniying a report on an online news platform, ‘TG news’, accusing some council Chairmen of fighting over money allegedly given to the ALGON.
“The publication was a deliberate attempt to tarnished the good image of Local Government Chairmen in the state and such can never be tolerated. “We respect the media but not such yellow journalism by unprofessional and half-baked practitioners”, he said.
The chairman pledged continued partnership with journalists, who practised their profession as enshrined in their Code of Ethics.
