The Rivers State chapter of the Association of Local Government Areas of Nigeria (ALGON) has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of withholding funds meant for the 23 local government areas (LGAs) in the state. The state ALGON stated that this action has deprived them of their functions in administering the third tier of government.
The LG chairmen described the governor's action as tantamount to proscribing local government councils in the state. They expressed support for the call by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tony Okocha, for the State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor.
The State ALGON Chairman, Allwell Ihunda, who is also the Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, made these statements at a news briefing in Port Harcourt. Ihunda criticized the state government for neglecting, failing, and deliberately refusing to hold the statutory Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting, which is necessary for the release and disbursement of funds to the local government councils.
He highlighted that the state government has withheld the statutory allocations due to the 23 local government councils since April 2024 and, in the case of Emuoha LGA, since March 2024. Ihunda emphasized that this action is unjust and has deprived the third tier of government of the funds required to carry out its statutory functions in the administration of the local government areas.
