APGA calls on EFCC to monitor local government funds in Abia State

 

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Abia State, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to beam its searchlight on the management of funds accruing to the 17 local government areas of Abia State, from Federal Allocation.

The party also enjoined relevant authorities, including the National Assembly, “to urgently put every constitutional arrangement in place; abolish the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) so as to pave way for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible and acceptable elections that will usher-in responsible and responsive government at the local government areas of Abia and Nigeria.”

APGA, Abia State Publicity Secretary Hon. Ebere Uzoukwa, said the above measures would help in checking the overbearing influence of governors on the activities of the local governments, especially as it concerned their finances.

Hon. Uzoukwa pointedly accused the Abia State government of ploy to meddle with Abia local government funds, using the newly inaugurated 17 local government Transition Committee chairmen as conduit.

“There is no gainsaying that the TC chairmen are recruited as stooge to criminally sustain the looting spree that has denied Abians and residents the desired but basic developmental needs in the rural areas.

“This calls for serious concern as it negates the whole essence of direct funding to the local government councils in the country.

“The financial malfeasance as committed by the governor and his hirelings in government have hellishly deepened the sufferings of the people in all facets hence it reinforces government failures.

“The inherent danger is the fact that local government workers will be perennially owed. Development will also remain a mirage in the local communities that populate Abia,” Uzoukwa stated in a statement issued Sunday in Umuahia.

He said it was APGA’s belief that if these steps were taken they would guarantee local government financial autonomy being implemented by President Muhammadu Buhari.