“The only challenge I envisage now, which we have to sit down and find a way around is how the local government workers would be paid promptly?”
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has described the recent Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments as a welcome development and relief to state governments.
He however expressed concerns over its effective implementation and the ability of LGs to handle their financial responsibilities.
Governor Eno made the observations while fielding questions with Government House correspondents at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, upon his return to the state from an official engagement.
The Governor noted that the Supreme Court verdict on local government autonomy remains sacrosanct, being the pronouncement of the final court in the land.
He noted that the judgement will not impact the Akwa Ibom State Government in anyway, stressing that so far, under his administration and even in previous years, local governments have been getting their due allocations, without any interference with the operations of the joint account.
He affirmed that his administration’s ARISE Agenda places a premium on rural development.
Gov. Eno stated that the present state government has channelled volumes of funds into offsetting arrears of gratuities, pensions, salaries and other entitlements to local government workers, noting that the autonomy granted the third tier of government is a relief to the state government.
He expressed hope that local governments, under the new arrangement, would take over the responsibility of prompt payment of salary abd other emoluments to teachers, health workers and other LG workers to avoid leaving unnecessary burden of arrears to successive governments.
In his words: “The Supreme Court has made pronouncements. That’s the final court of the land, but for us in Akwa Ibom, honestly I don’t see us having any issues. For me, this is a welcome development because I know how much we, as a state, support the local governments.
“Since I assumed office, I’ve not touched any funds allocated to the local governments. The only challenge I envisage now, which we have to sit down and find a way around is how the local government workers would be paid promptly? How will primary school teachers be paid promptly? How do we clear the backlog that we have? I pray that we find a way around this.
“Our ARISE Agenda is also centered around developing the local government areas, so with this judgement, I feel relieved but my concern is how they would bear the brunt of the autonomy.”
The concern of the governor on how the Local governments officials will bear the brunt of the autonomy is a serious issue. However, experienced technocrats and stakeholders should be given opportunities to lead and head LGs administrations and not young inexperienced ones, but the young ones could join as councilors. This will take care of the concerns of the governor.