The Association of Local Government Areas of Nigeria in Rivers State has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of withholding funds meant for the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state, claiming it has hampered their governance duties.
The LG Chairmen also backed the call by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tony Okocha, for the State House of Assembly to begin impeachment proceedings against the Governor Fubara.
State ALGON Chairman and Port Harcourt City Local Government Area Chairman, Allwell Ihunda, voiced these concerns at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, stating, “It has come to the notice of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, that the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has neglected, failed, and deliberately refused to hold the statutory Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting which is the prerequisite for the release and disbursement of funds due to the local government in the State Joint Local Government Accounts.”
READ ALSO: NDDC Rep x-rays developmental strides in Cross River
He continued, “And has continued to withhold the statutory allocations due to the 23 local government councils of Rivers State since April 2024. And in the case of Emuoha LGA since March 2024 till date for no just cause, thereby starving the third tier of the government of the funds required to discharge its statutory functions in the administration of the local government areas.”
Ihunda’s remarks indicate the seriousness of the situation, highlighting the impact of the alleged fund withholding on the local governance structure.