Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has described the recent Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local government areas as a welcome development and relief to state governments.
This is as he expressed concerns over its effective implementation as it relates to the ability of LGs to handle their financial responsibilities.
Governor Eno made the observations Monday evening while fielding questions from Government House correspondents at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, upon his return to the state from a foreign official engagement.
“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.”
Eno added that the Supreme Court’s verdict on local government autonomy remains sacrosanct, being the pronouncement of the final court in the land.
He noted however, that the judgement would not impact on the Akwa Ibom State Government in anyway, adding that under his administration and previous years, local governments have been getting their due allocations, without any interference with the operations of the joint account.
The governor further explained that in furtherance to his ARISE agenda which places premium on rural development, his administration 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 urged local governments, under the new arrangement, to take over the responsibility of prompt payment of salaries and other emoluments to teachers, health workers and other LG workers to avoid leaving unnecessary burden of arrears to successive governments.
He said, “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.
“Our ARISE Agenda is also cantered 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.”