By Faith Igbudu
Special Adviser to the Benue State governor on of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Dennis Akura, has decried poor revenue remittance at the grassroots, saying the act is an enemy of development.
The SA made this known recently when he played host to the Benue State House of Assembly Committee on local government in his office in Makurdi.
“There is an issue that should be a concern to all local government stakeholders. Our revenue has been hijacked by the revenue local government staff; it has been hijacked by those that are in charge.
The little that comes in doesn’t go to the local government purse. It is our concern.
“Sadly, people don’t know that when these revenues are remitted into the revenue account, it accounts for our indices at the federal allocation which accounts for what we get. Now our people have hijacked it, what do we do?”
While assuring the oversight committee of a result oriented synergy between the bureau and the committee, he said his office will work towards a total reformation of the local government sector in line with Governor Hyacinth Alia’ agenda, adding that another reformation will be the automation of the local government payroll.
He said the automation will carry all relevant data including the first date of appointment of staff to eliminate illegal practices that hitherto existed in the sector, saying it will help government know the staff strength of local government work force.
He told the legislators that, the bureau will soon be presenting to them the local government establishment law for an amendment to accommodate best practices in the sector.
Earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Member, representing Vandeikya II State Constituency, Shimawua Terna, said the 10th assembly is fully ready to work and support the executive arm of government in its drive to better the lot of the people of the state.
In their separate remarks, other members of the committee charged the SA to use his office to change the narrative of the local government sector in the state.
