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Tag: LGs

  • PDP clears all LGs in Adamawa

    PDP clears all LGs in Adamawa

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won all 21 council seats in the just-concluded Local Government (LG) election in Adamawa State.

    According to the results just released by the State Independent Electoral Commission, all the councillorship seats were also won by the ruling PDP in the 226 wards in the North-East state except the Demsa Ward of the Demsa Local Government Area where the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) won one councillorship seat.

    The Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Mohammed Umar, said the ruling party won overwhelmingly in all the 21 local government councils of the state. He announced the results on Sunday evening at the commission’s headquarters in Yola, the state capital.

    Umar said out of the 19 registered political parties in the state, 12 participated in the exercise.

    The Adamawa local government election was the first after the Supreme Court granted financial autonomy to the third tier of government, ordering the Federal Government to pay the 20.60% monthly allocation of the 774 LGs in the country directly to their exclusive accounts and not to accounts controlled by governors.

    The apex court in the landmark judgement on Thursday also barred power-drunk governors from dissolving democratically elected local government councils.

  • Edo Govt lends LGs N850m to pay December salary

    Edo Govt lends LGs N850m to pay December salary

    The Edo State Government says it has loaned local government councils in the state, the sum of N850 million to clear salaries of council workers for December, in lieu of the release of Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations to the councils.

    The state governor Godwin Obaseki on Wednesday said he got the recommendation from the state’s ministry of finance which confirmed that the councils are yet to receive an allocation from the Federation Account even after the December 18, 2021, FAAC meeting in Abuja.

    He disclosed this during an onboarding programme for his political appointees at the John Odigie-Oyegun staff training centre in Benin City, the Edo State’s capital.

    The governor said its prudent management of public resources, made it possible to settle salaries and pension of state workers since December 14 from its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    According to the Finance Ministry who were part of the virtual FAAC meeting of December 18, where N675.9billion was shared among the three tiers of government, Edo state local government authorities have not been able to access their funds thereby putting them in a financial crisis.

    In view of this, however, the executive council agreed that the State Government advance the 18 local government councils in the state a bailout to enable them to clear the salary of their workers.

  • Gov Lalong lifts curfew in three troubled Plateau LGs

    Gov Lalong lifts curfew in three troubled Plateau LGs

    The Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has directed the total lifting of the curfew in Jos North, Jos South, and Bassa local government areas.

    Governor Lalong gave the new directive after a State Security Council Meeting which was held at the Government House in Jos.

    His order came after the council reviewed the security situation in the affected local government areas and the state in general.

    On the strength of deliberations at the meeting and the advice of the security council, the governor directed that the curfew be lifted with effect from Friday 17th December 2021 until further notice.

    He directed that in place of the curfew, the relevant security agencies should mount well-coordinated and round-the-clock checks in strategic areas of the state to ensure the safety of lives and properties of the people during the Yuletide season.

    He advised the security agencies to ensure that they deploy security personnel across the state and gather requisite intelligence to thwart any attempt by criminals who might want to perpetuate their nefarious activities during the season and cause a breach of the peace.

    Meanwhile, the total ban on motorcycles within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis is still in force while their operations in other local government areas will stop at 8 pm.

    Tricycles within the metropolis will continue to operate on the existing template of 6 am to 6 pm only.

    While commending the citizens for their patience, understanding, and cooperation during the period of the curfew, Lalong urged them to be security-conscious and highly vigilant against any suspected criminal activity in their domains, which should be reported quickly to security agencies to enable them to take swift action.

    He also praised the security agencies for their sacrifices and patriotic service, urging them to continue to do more as the government will do its best to support them in carrying out their mandate of securing lives and properties.

    Earlier in September, the government imposed a curfew from 10 pm to 6 am as part of efforts to curb the insecurity witnessed within the area some months ago.

  • Boko Haram takes over two LGs in Niger State

    Boko Haram takes over two LGs in Niger State

    Boko Haram terrorists have taken over five communities in Rafi and Shiroto Local Government Areas of Niger state, an official of the state said.

    Alhaji Ahmed Matane, Secretary to the State Government disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Minna on Monday.

    He explained that the Boko Haram insurgents are fully in charge in Hanawanka,Madaka ,in Rafi LGA and Kurebe, Gussau,Farina Kuka in Shiroro LGA, forcing the rural dwellers to migrate to safer grounds.

    He explained that the terrorists move freely in the effected areas, wielding sophisticated and menacing weapons.

    Matane said the state has already notified security agencies for proper urgent security measures.

    ” We have spent over N 2 billion on the security agencies in the ongoing fight against banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the last two years .

    ” We will continue to accord priority attention to the welfare of security personnel deployed to enable them wipeout all those involved in the illegal acts for peace, progress and political stability.

    ” We equally appealed to residents to volunteer reliable information on the movement of bad characters to the nearest security outfits for security action.

    ” We have also reached out to traditional and religious leaders as well as stakeholders to mobilize residents to support the effort of the government in the ongoing fight against criminal elements”,he said.

    Matane, also acknowledged and applauded the Niger state government efforts at tackling the menace.

    He said the government will not rest on its oars to bring to a halt security challenges confronting the state.

  • $418m: No arbitrary deduction from states, LGs – Malami

    $418m: No arbitrary deduction from states, LGs – Malami

    The Federal Government has denied engaging in arbitrary deductions from FAAC allocations to States and Local Governments in its pursuit of settling the $418 million Paris Club loan.

    A statement signed by Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations to the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), indicated that the deductions were in furtherance of Federal Government’s efforts at offsetting the debt incurred by States and Local Governments in the country.

    Gwandu posited that the media onslaught on what played out at FAAC October meeting that states won’t be able to pay salaries on account of the deductions is far from the truth as the problem is self-induced being a product of contractual negotiation in respect of which NGF and ALGON submitted to judicial decision legitimately entered by their consent.

    “The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation denies any wrongdoing in the steps that have been taken so far to comply with the various court judgements and is also not party or privy to any of the sinister agenda or plots being insinuated in the malicious publications, but maintains that he has a responsibility to protect Federal Government from bearing liability of a judgement debt incurred by Nigerian Governors’ Forum and ALGON which is mischievously being transferred to the Federal Government.

    “It is important and necessary to state, at the onset, that the deductions were on account of four judgements in contention which were delivered at various times in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019. Two of these judgements were Consent Judgements based on Terms of Settlement entered into by NGF in 2017 and 2019. Again, two of the four judgements were based on an earlier judgement delivered by the Federal High Court in 2013.

    “It is, however, amazing that from 2013 to 2021, neither NGF nor ALGON deemed it fit to either challenge or fully comply with any of these judgements. In furtherance of the consent and settlement, the NGF itself made payments in billions to the consultants based on the same judgement it is deriding now,” Gwandu added.

    He further revealed that by various letters addressed to the AGF and Finance Minister, both NGF and ALGON expressed no objection and actually recommended the same set of consultants for the payment of the judgement debts which were initially above $418 million but were reduced to the figure owing to the consistent concessional offer by the consultants.

    It was added that recommendations for payment were made after claims of the consultants were subjected to verifications by both the DSS and EFCC. It was further disclosed that the Federal Government decided to step in owing to the failure of both NGF and ALGON to comply with the judgements and most importantly, to prevent a situation where the debt liability would be transferred to it.

    Gwandu noted that the interest of the Federal Government to intervene in the negotiated settlement was borne out of the fact that the consultants made it a party to the action against NGF and ALGON, the implication of which was that the judgement may be executed against the interest and assets of the Federal Government over liability that was incurred exclusively by NGF and ALGON.

    While insisting that the Federal Government did not act in vacuum before the decision to comply with the existing judgements was taken, Gwandu said it is curious to note that both NGF and ALGON who had actual knowledge of these judgements between 2013 and 2019, consented to their partial compliance and also undertook in 2019 to settle them from their FAAC Allocations, only turned around in 2021 to take steps to challenge the judgements.

    He stated further that the Federal Government had acted on the Undertaking/Indemnity provided by NGF, while the Judgement Creditors had also obtained orders of mandamus compelling the issuance of promissory notes.

    He also noted that the NGF had at various times in 2016 and 2018 received payments from the Federal Government under the guise of legal and consultancy fees related to the same Paris Club refunds.

    “Specifically, NGF was paid US$86,546,526.65 and N19,439,225,871.11 in 2016 and $100 million in 2018. It was, however, convenient at that time not to complain about payment of consultants.

    “Thus, the Federal Government could not fold its arms and watch while the consultants/contractors had already obtained garnishee order absolute attaching the funds of the Federal Government in the Central Bank of Nigeria on account of the fact that the refunds of the Paris Club loans were made by the Federal Government to the States and Local Governments in contempt of an existing court judgements procured against NGF and ALGON by consent”, Gwandu stated further.

  • FG, States, LGs share N605.95bn in May

    FG, States, LGs share N605.95bn in May

    The Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) on Wednesday said it shared a total of N605.958 billion as May 2021 revenue to the Federal, States and Local Governments as well as other relevant agencies.

    Mr Charles Nwodo, Director, Information, Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, in a statement in Abuja, said the amount was shared during a virtual conference of the committee.

    The committee, in a communique, noted that the N605.958 billion shared included cost of collection to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

    The committee also stated that the Federal Government received N242.120 billion, the states got N194.195 billion while the LGs received N143.742 billion.

    It added that the oil producing states received N26.901 billion as derivation (13 per cent of mineral revenue).

    According to the committee, the Gross Revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) for May 2021 was N181.078 billion as against N176.710 billion distributed in the preceding month of April 2021.

    This resulted in an increase of N4.368 billion.

    It said: “The distribution is as follows; Federal Government got N25.260 billion, the States received N84.202 billion, and Local Government Councils got N58.941 billion.

    “The distributed Statutory Revenue of N428.198 billion received for the month was lower than the N497.385 billion received for the previous month by N69.197 billion, from which the Federal Government received N175.541 billion, States got N89.037 billion, LGs got N69.644 billion, and Derivation (13 per cent Mineral Revenue) got N24.666 billion.”

    The committee also revealed that Companies Income Tax (CIT), and Oil and Gas Royalties, Import and Excise Duty recorded decreases, while only VAT increased, although, marginally.

    It said the total revenue distributable for the current month was inclusive of Gross Statutory Revenue of N357.888 billion, VAT of N168.403 billion, Solid Mineral Revenue of N7.940 billion, Exchange Gain of N1.727 billion and an augmentation from Non-Oil of N50 billion and N20 billion.

    The committee said this brought the total distributable revenue to N605.958 billion.

  • Gunmen attack two Niger LGs in broad daylight, kidnap 25

    Gunmen attack two Niger LGs in broad daylight, kidnap 25

    Gunmen have abducted no fewer than 25 persons in both Wushishi and Rafi Local Government Areas of Niger State.

    According to the residents of the community, the armed men invaded the Kutuku community in Wushshi Local Government Area around 10 am on Monday.

    They were said to have shot sporadically in the air to scare away residents after which about 20 persons including women and under-aged children were abducted.

    According to a report by Channels Television, five persons were also abducted by the bandits in the Rafi local government area of the state while several other persons were injured at the Panku Gari council area.

    An eye witness said the bandits, who were well armed with dangerous weapons, carried out their operation in broad daylight without fear or favor.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that neither the state government nor the police command have confirmed the attack.

  • Bandits attack three Kaduna LGs, kill 18

    Bandits attack three Kaduna LGs, kill 18

    Bandits have killed no fewer than 18 people in Giwa, Chikun and Igabi local government areas of Kaduna State.

    The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.

    The three Local Government Areas have been under constant attacks by bandits in recent time.

    According to Aruwan, the bandits attacked Anaba village in Igabi local government area and killed seven people. He gave their names as Ali Musa, Isa Sharehu, Tijjani Isa, Auwalu Shehu, Hashim Abdullahi, Hassan Saidu and Umar Rilwanu.

    Many of the houses in the community were also burnt down by the bandits along with storehouses and barns, while they also rustled no fewer than 20 cows during the operation.

    Similarly, the bandits also attacked Barinje village in Chikun local government area killing eight persons, including Sunday Gwamna, Lawal Jizo, Salha Barau, Sabo Barau, Umaru Barau, Muhammadu Dan Azumi, Zailani Dogara and Jikan Gambo.

    Some residents of the village were also abducted, and cattle rustled during the attack, while an unspecified number of injured victims are receiving treatment in hospitals.

    In another operation, armed bandits attacked the loosely connected communities of Kwarten Rigasa, Kwarten Waziri and Kwarten Shaku in Igabi local government area.

    The bandits reportedly emerged from the Buruku area and raided the villages in a cattle rustling operation and in the process, killed one Danjuma Isa from neighboring Ungwan Kanti village as he made his way on foot to Kwarten Rigasa.

    Similarly, armed bandits invaded Sanhu Makera village in Birnin Yero of Igabi local government area and killed one Yakubu Abdullahi, a farmer in the village, while another person was killed by unknown assailants in unusual circumstances, at the Ministerial Pilot Housing Estate, Millennium City in Chikun local government area.

    According to Aruwan, the attacks on soft targets at Anaba and Barinje villages in Igabi and Chikun LGAs respectively followed the killing of several armed bandits through targeted air operations.

    He disclosed that air platforms had earlier conducted armed reconnaissance around Anaba village during which the crew observed houses on fire and locals migrating to nearby settlements.

    He further disclosed that many bandits on motorcycles were neutralised by troops at Kankomi village and neighbouring communities as well as
    Kuyanbana forest while many of them escaped with bullet wounds.

    The security agencies, however, appealed to the communities to report anyone found with suspicious bullet wounds to the Security Operations Room.

    Meanwhile, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has expressed sadness over the unfortunate incidents and has sent his condolences to the families of all those killed in the attacks, while offering prayers for the repose of their souls. He also wishes the injured a quick recovery.

  • Birth certificates issued by LGs, hospitals not acceptable for official use – NPC

    Birth certificates issued by LGs, hospitals not acceptable for official use – NPC

    The National Population Commission (NPC) has said that all birth certificates issued by local governments and hospitals are not acceptable for official purposes in the country.

    According to the Commission, only birth certificates issued by NPC is acceptable as the commission is the only agency legally authorised to issue such documents in the country.

    The Ebonyi State Director of NPC, Edward Ogbu stated this during a review meeting and retraining of Ebonyi State health facility workers on birth registration service delivery.

    The meeting, which was held with support and collaboration of the United Nations Children Fund, (UNICEF) took place at Citi Hub Events Centre in Abakaliki, capital of the state with health workers from all the local governments and health facilities in the state in attendance.

    Mr. Ogbu solicited the help of government and health workers in the mobilisation of parents to register their children.

    In a keynote address, the UNICEF Chief of Field office Enugu, Ibrahim Conteh lamented that recent records show that child registration in the country is still very low.

    Quoting the National Demographic Health Survey 2018, Mr. Conteh said that 57 percent of children in Nigeria do not have their births registered.

    Represented by a Child Protection Specialist with UNICEF, Enugu, Mr. Victor Atuchukwu, the UNICEF Chief said that of the 43 percent registered births only 62 percent are registered with NPC.

    “26 percent are registered with private clinic/hospitals, nine percent are registered with Local Government Administration while three percent are registered with other authorities,” he said.

    Mr. Conteh noted that non-registration of new born child has a lot of disadvantages to the child, the community and the country in general.

    According to him non-registration of children’s births puts their access to basic service under threat.

    “Their official ‘invisibility’ increases their vulnerability to abuse and exploitation

    and violations of their rights go unnoticed. In legal terms they do not exist,” he added.