*Says allocation in May the lowest in six years

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has disclosed that the allocation disbursed by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan for May, was the lowest in six years.

He made the disclosure on Tuesday in Benin, at the swearing-in of a newly appointed chairman of Owan West local government area, Mr. Reginald Okun.

Oshiomhole greets Reginald Okun after the swearing-in

The governor said: “Though you may be celebrating as chairman, but I commiserate with you because the finances of your local government like other tiers of government are at their lowest ebb ever. The allocation that came last month was the lowest in six years. So you are assuming office at a time of a very sharp drop in the revenue accruing to the local government from the federation account.”

Despite the sharp drop in revenue allocation, however, the governor reminded the new council boss of his financial obbligations to the local government area.

“Despite this drop in allocation, you still have specific obligations you have to meet which include the payment of salaries of teachers who are teaching our pupils at the local government as well as meeting the salary obligation of employees of the local government. You must also recognize that local government were not set up primarily to pay salaries, they were set up primarily to develop their various localities.

“So in addition to meeting your wage bill, it is expected that you provide services including environmental sanitation, market construction and others. I believe you can also look inward as we are doing at the state level on how you can collect legitimate taxes that are due to local government and when those taxes are collected, to ensure that they are properly paid into the appropriate government account of the local government so that your government can remain afloat,” Oshiomhole said.

Earlier while taking oath of allegiance, the new chairman, Mr. Reginald Okun pledged to discharge his duties according to law and provide appropriate and efficient leadership to the people at the council level.