9th June, 2015
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has disclosed that the last monthly allocation disbursed by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, for the month of May, was the lowest in six years.
He made the disclosure on Tuesday in Benin, at the swearing-in ceremony of a newly appointed chairman of Owan West local government area, Mr. Reginald Okun.
The governor said: “Though you may be celebrating as chairman, but I commiserate with you because the finances of your local government like other tiers of government are at their lowest ebb ever. The allocation that came last month was the lowest in six years. So you are assuming office at a time of a very sharp drop in the revenue accruing to the local government from the federation account.”
Despite the sharp drop in revenue allocation, however, the governor reminded the new council boss of his financial obligations to the local government area.
“Despite this drop in allocation, you still have specific obligations you have to meet which include the payment of salaries of teachers who are teaching our pupils at the local government as well as meeting the salary obligation of employees of the local government. You must also recognize that local government were not set up primarily to pay salaries, they were set up primarily to develop their various localities.
“So in addition to meeting your wage bill, it is expected that you provide services including environmental sanitation, market construction and others. I believe you can also look inward as we are doing at the state level on how you can collect legitimate taxes that are due to local government and when those taxes are collected, to ensure that they are properly paid into the appropriate government account of the local government so that your government can remain afloat,” Oshiomhole said.
Speaking further, the governor sternly warned the new chairman to avoid the mistakes which led to the removal of the former chairman of the council.
“I know that you, Hon. Reginald Okun is now the new chairman of Owan West local government. I have no doubt that you recognize that this is a huge responsibility placed on your shoulders to provide leadership for the Local Government of Owan West at that grassroots level.
“You contested and won as a vice chairman and as running mate to the former chairman who has now been formally removed from office on the account of the findings of the commission of enquiry set up to look at the activities of Owan West Local government council. A number of issues have been uncovered including clear breach of relevant procurement laws, some misappropriation of funds and also poor governance issues.
“I hope having now resumed office as the new chairman, you will do everything possible to avoid the recurrence of the wrong doings of the former chairman for which he has now be sanctioned. It is bad enough to make mistakes but it is worse to repeat such mistakes. If a man that was elected can be removed on account t of proven wrong doings, you who benefitted from that process cannot be excused if you fall into the same trap,” he warned.
While advising the council boss on security and other matters, Oshiomhole noted; “You have a responsibility to maintain security of the Local Government by holding security meetings at least monthly between you and the DPOs, SSS, traditional rulers so that working together, you can ensure that the local government is safe.
“I ask you to study the local government laws carefully and ensure you operate strictly in accordance with the laws and all other laws regulating local government councils.
“The local government has two arms; the executive headed by the chairman and the local legislature headed by the house leader elected from among the councilors. The councilors are expected to function, they are expected to meet, discuss among other things the local government appropriation act that will regularize the expenditure of the local government.
“They also have oversight functions by way of ensuring that the money appropriated and expenditure are actually used in a way that the tax payers in the local government have value for their tax.”
Earlier while taking oath of allegiance, the new chairman, Mr. Reginald Okun pledged to discharge his duties according to law and provide appropriate and efficient leadership to the people at the council level.