Govt rues dwindling federal allocation to local councils

Assembly holds statewide town hall meetings
LAGOS State government yesterday blamed dwindling monthly allocation to the local governments as the reason for perennial underdevelopment at the grassroots. The Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami, though argued that there were pockets of projects ongoing in all the Local Government Area/ Local Council Development Areas (LGA/LCDAs), said the councils would had done better with better allocations.

Folami, who spoke ahead of the 2015 Community Day celebration holding next week, said the local councils have enormous challenges than the paltry federal allocation could meet. “The expectations are very high, but the challenge is dwindling revenue from the Federal Government. Revenue is quite low. For instance, Ikorodu gets just N1m. To what extent can that go? But in spite of that, we will try to provide infrastructure to the people.”

Folami, however, showered commendations on the over 3,500 Community Development Associations (CDAs) in the state for their complementary role and support towards grassroots development. He said over 50,000 of their members were expected at the community day celebration, aimed at charting a path to sustainable development at the grassroots.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Community and Communication, Kehinde Bamigbetan said adequate security had been put in place to ensure a hitch-free event, which will hold at the Police College, Ikeja. Events line up for the celebration include Jumat prayer at the Secretariat Mosque today (Friday), health walk/talk on Saturday, visitation to Charity Homes on November 10; Community Parade/grand finale at the Police College and thanksgiving service at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa on November 15.

The State House of Assembly has earmarked Tuesday November 10, for town hall meetings in all the 40 constituencies in the state. The meetings, scheduled to hold simultaneously, will educate Lagosians on the duty of the lawmakers, which is often mistaken with that of the executive. Majority Leader of the House, Sanai Agunbiade, who moved the Motion during plenary on Thursday, said the town hall meetings was necessary to educate the constituents about what the legislators have been doing since they assumed office.