The Transition Committee Chairman, Ikono Local Government Council, Mr Itoro Columba has advocated for a review of the existing revenue allocation formula in the country to make it more favourable to the local government councils.
Mr Columba made the advocacy when a delegation of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Akwa Ibom State Chapter went on an assessment tour of the Local Government Council on Thursday.
He described as inexplicable and ironic, the present existing sharing formula of fund from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, where the Federal Government receives 56 percent while state governments and the local government councils get 24 and 20 percent respectively and called for a holistic review of the process to allow for equal distribution of projects and dividends of democracy.
While buttressing his point, Mr Columba said, "For me, it is inexplicable, it is ironic for a Federal Government that sits atop as a father Christmas to go home with 56 percent of our common wealth and 44 is left to be shared between the state and local governments. Ironically those who take the least are the ones with the greatest responsibilities.
"There is no way we can continue like this. We're the closest to the people, the burden lies so much on the local government areas and the helmsmen should be made to have more money.
That's my advocacy."
Speaking further, the Council boss attributed the cordial relationship between his administration and staffers of the Council to his probity and transparency in handling the affairs of the Council.
He said, "We have demonstrated capacity since we came on board. Certain things have happened differently as compared to what was obtainable in the past. I've always said that the best approach to governance is transparency".
Furthermore, the Transition Chairman reeled out the achievements of his administration in the last 9 months to the awe of the delegation.
To march words with proofs, the super performing Transition Chairman led the delegation to a on-the-spot assessment of the newly inaugurated 215 market sheds christened "FEYReP Posh Sheds" as well as the mini abbatoir at the Obo Urban Market all constructed and completed by his administration.
Other projects inspected included, the revamped Security Village, 24 reconstructed market sheds at Edet Mbat market, the revamped Ediene Water Project as well as the ongoing Nung Ukim-Mbiafun Nkwono road project executed by the State government which the Council boss hinted may be due for commissioning on May 29, 2017, amongst others.
At a time most states in the country are groaning over dwindling resources and are unable to pick their wage bills, Mr Columba said the Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration has demonstrated capacity and excellent leadership as seen in the various people oriented projects executed across the state as well as in managing the resources of the state.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Chairman, IPAC, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Engr Martins Inyang had said the purpose of the visit was to access the profitable programmes of the state government in the area and also to assess the current local government administration in terms of the good projects executed for the benefit of the people of the local government area.
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