The Association of Local Government of Nigeria has expressed concern over Paris Club refund especially now that Nigerians are facing hardship.
The association’s National President, Kolade Alabi, also lamented what he described as the continued stifling of local government administration through limited or restricted access to their full monthly Federation Account Allocations, by some state governments.
The umbrella body for local government said the non-payment of funds due to affected local governments is affecting the growth of those councils, according to The Nation.
The ALGON President said: “A prominent example is the continued withholding of most Local Governments’ share of Paris Club Refunds, although fully paid by the Federal Government between 2016 and 2018. No doubt, we cannot underestimate the unique position of local governments in addressing and resolving the immediate concerns and pressing problems of ordinary Nigerians for security (both human and food), health and wellbeing, affordable transportation and other fundamental elements of modern livelihood.
ALGON noted with dismay how the absence of full authority and proper funding had undermined the effectiveness of local government administration in the country.
Alabi, a lawyer and Chairman of Bariga Local Council in Lagos State, said: “This untoward action by the higher authority has deprived communities of good infrastructure and amenities, prevented growth of social services and provision of more adequate security. It also led to crumbling and eventual collapse of existing facilities designed to meet basic needs like housing, healthcare, primary education, portable water and food security.”
He enjoined Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, saying the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President is not a quick fix but a tedious process to a great development.
He added: “As government closer to the people, we observed with great concern, the extremely difficult circumstances many Nigerian families are currently enduring. This was caused by soaring food prices, diminished household incomes, mounting insecurity, increased unemployment, high transportation costs and many other ills currently plaguing the nation’s economy and society.
“We equally recognise that most of these challenges are largely the result of decades of sub-optimal management of Nigeria’s economy and resources; inadequate provision of security structures, especially at local and community levels and the now ubiquitous effects of long standing and deeply rooted official corruption.”