Ahmed Counsels Local Councils against Reliance on FG Funds

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has urged the local government administrators to implement an optimal revenue arrangement that will augment the federation allocation.

This, he said, would enable them to pay monthly salaries and wages of their staff as well as embark on other basic commitment for the benefit of the people.

Gov Ahmed made the advice in Ilorin during a courtesy call on him by Council of Chairmen from Kwara South led by the ALGON Chairman, who is also the Chairman of Oyun Local Government Area, Hon. Joshua Omokanye.

He said that the days of reliance on federally allocated funds are gone. He said: “My administration will continue to strengthen all the local government areas of the state in the areas of revenue growth to enable them carry out their responsibility both in capital and recurrent expenditure.”

Ahmed said it was necessary for the local government areas to improve their collectible internally generated revenue by partnering the established Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) which, he said, will take cognizance of local governments’ strength to help them build a strong revenue base.

According to him, “I will continue to work with you to ensure that all the areas of capital expenditures are synergised with state government expenditure so that you can take advantage of what we are doing in critical areas like Human Capital Development, Infrastructure and of course, driving the economy”.

Earlier, the ALGON Chairman, Omokanye commended the efforts of the governor for creating a sustainable model in the finances of the state and requested for the presentation of Staff of Office to the already graded traditional rulers in their areas of domain.