The Cross River State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, has dismissed claims that local government councils in the state are being underfunded, insisting that the councils are adequately funded under the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu.
The ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Yakurr Local Government Area, Chief Yibala Inyang, said the councils were enjoying strong financial support and partnership with the state government, enabling them to execute projects and intervene in critical sectors.
Inyang spoke in Calabar while reacting to allegations of underfunding of local governments made by the factional Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Sir Arthur Jarvis, at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Secretariat.
He described the allegation as unfounded and challenged those making such claims to produce evidence to support them.
“That’s a total fallacy because the local governments are having the best in terms of funding. In this administration, we have the power to execute projects, partner with the state to intervene in critical areas such as health, sanitation, local security and infrastructural development,” Inyang said.
According to him, local government funds are being properly utilised for development, while the partnership between the state and councils has helped promote even development across the 18 local government areas.
He explained that the joint account arrangement between the state and local governments had also helped councils meet their financial obligations, particularly the payment of salaries and running costs.
“Without the joint account, some LGAs won’t be able to pay salaries and handle the running cost in some months because of low allocation. That’s the reason why, in this administration, no LGA is owing salary in the state,” he said.
On local government autonomy, Inyang said the focus should be on performance and the benefits delivered to the people rather than semantics.
“To me, autonomy is just semantics. The performance and the dividends that accrue therefrom are the most important things.
“We are not starved of any funds. The local governments have been utilising project funds as and when due,” he stated.
The ALGON chairman cited projects executed in Yakurr as evidence of what he described as effective utilisation of council resources.
He said the council had executed projects in almost all its 13 wards based on needs assessment, with particular attention to drainage, culverts and infrastructure aimed at improving transportation and the evacuation of agricultural produce.
“We have done many culverts in Ekori. We have done a mini bridge in Nko, Abanghankpai Ward. We have rehabilitated the Nko Modern Market in Nkpolo Ward, while we are in the process of completing the construction of a modern market in Ekori,” he said.
Inyang added that the council had also constructed several culverts in Ijom, near the General Hospital in Ugep, including a double decker culvert.
He disclosed that the council was constructing a new primary healthcare centre in Ijiman Ward, Ugep, through a community and local government partnership.
The council chairman said a mini pavilion at the Ugep Stadium had been completed, while another at Mkpani was nearing completion.
He added that the council had rehabilitated the Ugep Stadium and was preparing to commence the rehabilitation of some structures in schools across the local government area.
According to him, the state government had also complemented the council’s efforts through major road projects in Ugep urban, with Ekori and Idomi expected to benefit subsequently.
Inyang maintained that similar projects were being executed by other councils across the state, demonstrating that local government funds were being deployed for development.
He urged opposition politicians preparing for the 2027 elections to focus on presenting alternative policies rather than making allegations that could not be substantiated.
“For me, we can’t play politics with what you can’t prove with evidence. Politicians who are looking for favour should be objective and stop subtle blackmail and old style of propaganda,” he said.
On claims of deepening poverty at the grassroots, Inyang said local governments had continued to meet their obligations to workers.
“Since we came on board at the local government, we’ve been paying imprest to all of the civil servants, salaries have been paid completely and no local government is owing,” he stated.
On security, the ALGON chairman said council chairmen had played significant roles in maintaining peace and addressing communal conflicts in their respective areas.
He said the collaboration between local governments and the state government had helped address security challenges that were beyond the capacity of individual councils.
“There has been a healthy partnership with the state in handling sensitive issues that may have been too peculiar for local governments alone to handle. This is the partnership we are talking about that is keeping the whole state safe,” he said.
Inyang advised opposition politicians seeking elective offices in 2027 to focus on what they would do differently if given the opportunity to govern.
“If they really have the interest of this state, if they think they really want to govern this state, let them tell us what we have not done and how well they’ll do it if given the opportunity,” he said.
Reacting to Jarvis’ one term campaign promise, Inyang questioned his suitability to govern the state, arguing that governance required considerable experience and exposure.
“I don’t think he is fit to run half a term, not to talk of one full term. Arthur Jarvis should first prove that he can run government, not run a school.
“Governance of a state is more in depth and requires enough experience and exposure in various political and public offices of high repute,” he said.
Inyang praised Governor Otu’s administration for what he described as prudent and people oriented governance, saying its achievements demonstrated the governor’s capacity to continue leading the state.
“Our governor, His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has demonstrated the qualities of a prudent administrator with people oriented governance mentality. His achievements within this first tenure can attest to the fact that he is the real person Cross River State deserves at the moment,” he concluded.
