Aideloje Ojo
Niger state government last year expended N1 billion in the execution of capital projects aimed at improving the living standard of rural people, the member representing Kontagora I in the House of Assembly, Hon. Mohammed Nurideen Umar, has said.
Speaking at the weekend in Minna, the legislator said each of the 25 local governments got N40 million each during the 2013 fiscal year.
“Last year N40 million was given to each local government council for carrying out capital project. N15 million from the state government and N25 million from SURE-P,” he said.
He explained that situation in local governments was pathetic as noticed by the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy
Affairs of which he is a member, when on oversight function visit to the councils.
Umar said Kontagora council had completed its 10-kilometre road project, while three other councils had reached 90 per cent completion and stressed the need for other councils to expedite action on the projects.
The lawmaker argued for the abolition of the states and local governments’ joint account system, adding that “with what I saw, governors are suppressing local government councils.”
