ALGON challenges state governments on the release of Paris Club refund

Reports that the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), has called on state governments to release the unpaid Paris Club Refunds due to affected local governments, as reconciled with the Federal Ministry of Finance. The association’s National President, Kolade Alabi, also lamented what he described as the continued stifling of local government administration through limited or restricted access to their full monthly Federation Account Allocations (FAC), by some state governments. Among the states culpable, he said, are those operating with caretaker committees, or sole administrators instead of the duly elected local government officials as guaranteed by Section 7 of the Constitution. The umbrella body for local government said the non-payment of funds due to affected local governments is affecting the growth of those councils. ALGON noted with dismay how the absence of full authority and proper funding had undermined the effectiveness of local government administration in the country.