Federal allocation: Ogun LGs share N3.893bn for February
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
The 20 Local Government Areas in Ogun State have each shared the sum of N3,893,959,271.31 from the Federation Account Allocation Committee for the month of February.
This disclosure was made at the Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting for March 2023, held at Oba’s Conference Hall, Oke-Maosan, Abeokuta.
Declaring the meeting open, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, said allocation for the month was not encouraging, as he advised the Chairmen to intensify efforts on improving their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for them to deliver more dividend of democracy to the people at the grassroots.
Hamzat, however sought the approval of the committee to allow payment of leave bonus on monthly basis as promised by the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for all State’s workforce.
According to the Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Hon. Oladapo Okubadejo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, State Treasury and Accountant-General, Babatunde Aregbesola, presented the total of N3,893,959,271.31 as statutory collection for the month of February, Value Added Tax (VAT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), Forex Equalization and Non-Oil, representing shares to the 20 LGAs in the State.
The Commissioner noted that the sum of N4,466,318,898.35 would be needed for the payment of first line charges, which included Primary School Teachers’ Salaries, Local Government Staff Salaries Pensions, Traditional Councils, Payment of Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Arears and Statutory Payment to Local Government Service Commission.
Others according to him were the January and February 2023 Leave Bonus to State Universal Basis Education Board (SUBEB), Local Government Staff and other charges, saying this excluded PAYE and five percent (5%) Bond on Pension amounting to a total sum of N317,061,251.73, which are yet to be effected, while the sum of N255,298,375.31 remains as gross deficit for the month.
In his response, the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Ogun State Chairman, Babatunde Emilola-Gazal moved the motion for the approval of the payment of the Leave Bonus, while the Remo North and Ifo LGAs Chairmen, Hon. Odunsi Adedapo and Hon. Kikelomo Delano seconded the motions respectively.
Also contributing, the Chairman, of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ogun State, Comrade Ayuba Olatunji appreciated the government for keeping to the promise of paying the leave bonus on monthly basis.
