Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State

The Chairman of Offa Local Government Area of Kwara, Mr Waheed Olanipekun, on Monday said that the local government councils in the state required N2.5 billion monthly to pay salaries.

Olanipekun stated this while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin.

He said that most of the local councils could no longer pay salaries because of the dwindling allocations from the Federation account.

According to him, the allocation coming to the council areas in the state from the centre had significantly plummeted, thus hindering the performance of the third tier of government.

Olanipekun said that the initial fund allocated to the council areas stood at N2.2 billion, adding that the current reality had shown that an average of N2.5 billion would be needed to considerably meet the expectations of the citizens.

The council boss said that most of the councils’ chairmen found it difficult to wriggle out of the financial mess.

He said that several projects planned for Offa Council could not materialise due to non-availability of funds.

Olanipekun said that the council under his leadership always made prudent management of resources allotted to the council a priority.

He said that this had enabled the local government carried out developmental projects.

The council chairman was, however, optimistic that the lingering economic crisis was a phase that would come and go.

According to him, the nation’s economy will regain its losses when oil production resumes in full swing.

Olanipekun condemned the call for abolition of joint account between states and local governments due to what he described as its optimum benefits to the local government areas.

“Those seeking the abolition of the joint account regime are ignorant of the workings and advantages accruing from the joint venture.

“For instance, some road projects built in Offa were as a result of joint account between the state government and the council.

“It is a way of drawing assistance and reduce financial burden on the council, ’’ the chairman said. (NAN)