Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, says the Supreme Court judgement which granted financial autonomy to local governments in the country would not affect his administration in any way.
The governor stated this while fielding questions with Government House Press Corps at Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, upon his return to the state from an official engagement.
Eno, who said he has not interfered with funds allocated to the 31 local governments since he assumed office, described the Supreme Court verdict as a welcome development and a relief to state governments.
He, however, expressed concerns over the effective implementation of financial Autonomy by the leaders at the third tier of government.
He expressed worry over how local governments, under the new arrangement, would handle responsibilities such as the prompt payment of salaries and other emoluments of workers under their employ.
“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.
“It is a relief to state governments. 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,” he said.