FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has tasked members of FCT Joint Area Councils Allocation Committee (JAAC) to make disbursed figures of money public for accountability and transparency in governance.
The minister, who made the call at the 146th JAAC meeting, also stated that such a move to make public the figures distributed to the six area councils at the end of every JAAC meeting would not only promote transparency but also douse tension and suspicion among residents of the territory.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) disbursed a total sum of N2.495, 241, 552.54 billion to the six area councils in the FCT and other stakeholders as its share of statutory allocation for the month of September, 2020.
Aliyu stated that it is the obligation of the government at all levels to explain how funds are disbursed and expended in line with the agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
She stated that it has been the tradition of the federal government to publish all funds allocated to states and local governments, adding that the FCT Administration would not deviate from such exemplary leadership set by the federal government.
She said: “In the past, funds disbursed to area councils were published for transparency and accountability, and I want that tradition to continue so that people will know what we receive and how their money is being expended.
“To me, this will greatly douse the tension and suspicion among residents that area councils are getting so much and doing nothing with the funds. Besides, if the federal government can publish a detailed account of monthly allocations to states and local governments across the country, the FCT Administration should follow that example set by the government at the centre,” she said.
Out of the over N2.49billion allocated to the FCT, the sum of N867, 586,819.11 was made available for distribution to the six area councils, while N1, 627, 654, 733.43 was made available for other stakeholders, bringing the total to N2.495,241,552.54 billion.
The figure also shows that Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) received N194, 908,566.24 million, while Gwagwalada got N183, 615,439.22 million and Kuje received N115, 354, 553.64 million. Similarly, Bwari area council received N117, 260,424.14 million, Abaji got N136, 062, 102.45 million and Kwali received N120, 385,733.42 million.
