It
has been revealed that several Local Government chairmen in Plateau
State have not been paid for months and have deserted their offices.
Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong
New revelations have shown that local government management
committee chairmen and councillors in Plateau are groaning over the lack
of funds and non-payment of their four months salaries and allowances.
According to Punch Metro, some checks on some of the councils,
including Pankshin on Thursday, showed that virtually all the 17 local
government secretariats were empty and deserted since there were no
official activities happening.
A council official, who pleaded anonymity, said in Mangu Local
Government Area that the situation had forced most of the council’s
chairmen to desert their offices.
The official said that lack of fund had prevented the chairmen from
operating and delivering development projects, programmes and services.
“Some of the chairmen have not stepped into their offices for
some months now following the non-release of funds to them by the state
government.
“Even when they come, it is probably to give directive or pick something in their offices and then disappear after.
“Since the suspension of some top council officials by the state government in mid-January, things have not been going on well.
What goes to the councils are just salaries of their staff, paid directly by the Finance Ministry.’’
“It’s like a hide and seek game. As we speak, our own Chairman,
like many others, steps in and steps out only when there is something
very important to attend to.
“We don’t know what exactly is happening; only the state
government can tell us what is happening to the running of the
councils.”
Mr Stephen Jings, the state Chairman of Association of Local
Governments of Nigeria, while confirming the situation, said the
officials were worried about the non-payment of salaries and allowances.
“As we are speaking, there is nothing in the council account
for the past four months; neither have l received my salary for four
months.
“Since there are no funds to run the office, it is difficult to do anything. Have you been seeing me in office like before?”
The ALGON chairman said the council bosses were optimistic that
things would change for the better because what was coming from the
Federation Account could only take care of salaries of workers.
Mr Daiyabu Gargak, Commissioner for Local Government and
Chieftaincy Affairs, who confirmed the situation, blamed it on the
prevailing economic recession and the inability of the councils to
improve on their internal revenue generation.
“It’s unfortunate that we so found ourselves in this situation
of lack of funds with which to carry out the social responsibilities
expected of us.
“What comes to the LGAs from the Federation Account is so
little that it can only accommodate salaries of the council’s staff with
nothing left for development projects.
“Much as the government is concerned and so worried over the
situation, it has been advising them (LGAs) to go all out to devise
means of improving on their revenues to cushion the effect.”
Gargak, however, sad that the traditional rulers had been getting their five per cent as stipulated by law.
“I don’t why some people should say they are not being paid their allowances.’’
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