Date: 2016-09-05

Against the backdrop of dwindling allocation from the federation coffers, a sum of N2.5billion is required monthly for local government areas in Kwara State to enable them meet basic obligations.

Outgoing Executive Chairman of Offa of Local Government Area of the state, Prince Abdulwaheed Segun Olanipekun, gave this indication at the weekend while speaking with journalists in Ilorin, the state capital.

He said the allocation coming to the council areas in the state from the centre had significantly plummeted, thus hindering the performance of the third tier of government.

He said the initial fund allocated to the council areas stood at N2.2billion but the current reality showed that an average of N2.5billion would be needed to considerably meet expectation of the citizenry.

Olanipekun, who explained that most of the councils found it herculean to wriggle out of the financial mess, said several masses oriented projects planned for Offa council could not materialize due to unavailability of fund.

He pointed out that the council under his leadership made prudence and adequate management of resources allotted to the council a priority, saying the measure enabled the council area to carry out developmental projects.

The Offa council chairman, however expressed optimism that the lingering economic crisis was a phase in the lifetime and added that the nation's economy would regain its loss when oil production resumes in full swing.

The Herald recalls that the sustained attacks on oil facilities by militants in the Niger Delta region had reduced daily production of the commodity with attendant effect on revenue earnings of the government.

Despite the cease fire announced by the militia few days ago, spate of onslaughts on oil installations had not stopped.

On the joint account between state and local government areas, the Offa council chairman said the policy should not be abolished because of its optimum benefit to the local government areas.

He said those seeking the abolition of the regime were ignorant of the working and advantage accrue from the joint venture.

For instance, Olanipekun said some road projects built in Offa were as a result of joint account between the state government and his council area, saying that it was a way of drawing assistance and lessen financial burden on the council.

On the wage bill of Offa local government staff, he said staff audit carried out upon his assumption of office three years ago reduced the wage bill of the council from N30million to N26.3million.

Olanipekun also disclosed that a total of 217 youth and women were engaged for road maintenance and environmental cleaning.

The council chairman, who enumerated his achievements in office, said provision of electricity, road construction and rehabilitation, portable water and educational development were given utmost priority.

He expressed his readiness to offer selfless service to the people if called upon again.