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Kogi govt. debunks alleged diversion of LG funds (Page 257)

By Naomi Sharang

Kogi Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, has debunked allegations of diversion of local government funds in the state.

Fanwo, while addressing a news conference in Abuja, described the allegations by some groups as untrue, politically-motivated and deliberately orchestrated to mislead the public.

On Nov. 20, the Igala Youth Council (IYC) staged a protest in Abuja, alleging persistent and unlawful misappropriation of LG funds by the Kogi State Government.

The protesters, who were joined by members of civil society organisations (CSOs), said the action became necessary after months of gathering evidence on alleged interference with local government finances, constitutionally meant to be autonomous.

Fanwo said: “Ordinarily, such baseless propaganda would not deserve a response. But as we all know, when lies go unchallenged, they begin to look like truth.

“Silence can unintentionally empower misinformation. We are a government committed to transparency, accountability and the right of our citizens to accurate information.

“It is important to set the record straight and expose the intentions behind these allegations.

“What is unfolding is not activism for accountability; it is a coordinated campaign aimed at dragging the name of the governor of Kogi and indeed the Government of Kogi State into fabricated claims.

“The petitioners are determined to create the false impression that the state government interferes with local government finances.

“This is entirely untrue and contradicts every documented financial and administrative process in Kogi,” he said.

Fanwo noted that local government autonomy was real, functional and fully upheld in the state, adding that in line with constitutional provisions, all local government councils receive their allocations.

“They determine their expenditure, award contracts, process payroll and implement development programmes independently.

“The governor of Kogi does not tamper with local government funds. This administration’s role is limited strictly to coordination and capacity support where required.

“Any claim to the contrary is baseless, false, unfounded and politically motivated,” he said.

The commissioner added that for the avoidance of doubt, all the 21 local government councils publish their financial statements on the official government website.

“These records are accessible to journalists, civil society organisations, development partners, the opposition and the general public.

“Transparency is not a slogan here; it is a routine practice. We challenge the petitioners to name any state in Nigeria with a more transparent local government financial reporting system,” he said.

The commissioner further stated that the evidence of development across the state had exposed the emptiness of their claims.

“Across the 21 local government areas, primary healthcare centres have been remodelled, expanded and newly constructed, including new clinics.

“Councils have rehabilitated existing water facilities, sunk new boreholes and installed solar systems in PHCs to ensure uninterrupted service delivery in rural communities.

“Furthermore, each local government trained 110 young men and women on CNG conversion and installation, equipping them with modern technical skills and creating new livelihood opportunities.

“Procurement processes are ongoing to provide their working kits and make them job creators rather than job seekers,” he added.

According to him, Ododo’s administration remains focused on the work that matters: infrastructure, security, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, rural development and education.

“Our President, Bola Tinubu, has given us more resources to serve our people. We will not disappoint him; we will not disappoint the good people of Kogi,” he said.

Also speaking, Tosin Olokun, Executive Chairman, Yagba West Local Government Council, said that “the state government does not tamper with our allocations and the revenue we generate internally.

“Apart from payment of salaries and pensions to our staff and retirees at 100 per cent, we have also started defraying gratuities that were abandoned for many years.

“We have been making rural roads accessible as well as renovating, remodelling and building new primary healthcare centres and clinics to attend to the healthcare of our people at the grassroots,” he stated.

Olokun, who is also the Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, commended the governor for his leadership, support, transparency and commitment to grassroots development. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

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Kogi govt. debunks alleged diversion of LG funds (Page 257)