The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), yesterday described the proposed 3.3 percent increase in revenue allocation to the third tier of government as “inadequate”.
President of ALGON, Kolade Alabi who spoke during the opening of the National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting/Retreat holding in Lagos said the proposed increment by the Federal government is inadequate compared to the 14 percent increase demanded by the association.
Recall that the Federal Government has proposed a 3.3 percent increase for LGs.
Speaking on the issue yesterday, the ALGON President noted that the proposal is inadequate to meet the demands of local council.
He said, “On revenue allocation, our position is a humble request to upscale our revenue due to local governments and area councils from the present 20.6 percent to 35.5 percent.
“We are very positive that our request would be approved. However, we thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his proposal through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) for a 3.3 percent increase of the revenue sharing formula for local governments, we feel that this is inadequate compared to our request of 14.4 percent increase to make a 35.5 percent revenue sharing formula.
“This request has become necessary because of all the things begging for attention of the local governments in Nigeria.”
Alabi said the greatest challenge facing the country today was insecurity and said addressing it must be from a bottom top approach, saying local governments are critical to ending the security challenges in Nigeria.
He called for state and community policing to holistically address the security challenges.
The Alabi-led NEC also advocated the harmonisation of the tenure of local government chairmen from three to four years as proposed by the ALGON in the Constitution ammendment.
The NEC meeting is meeting on issues of insecurity, primary health care, multiple taxation, the Paris refund, among others.
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