Date: 2015-03-24

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kwara State Chapter has denied rumours of any illegal or non-statutory deductions from the monthly allocations accruing to the 16 Local Governments from the Federation Accounts.

Chairman of the Association, Barr. Abdulateef Amodu-Okandeji told visiting members of the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Week Committee in Ilorin that neither the Kwara State Government nor any other individual collects or extorts any amount of money (individually or collectively) from the 16 local governments in the state.

He explained that members of the Association consider as "*incorrect*,* misleading and most unfortunate *the rumour, being fuelled by selfish political groups that the State Government and certain individuals are being paid illegal deductions from the revenue allocations to the local governments in the State."

Barr. Amodu-Okandeji commended the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed for coming to the rescue of local government councils through monthly augmentation without which the 16 Local Governments would have collapsed. He also pledged the loyalty and support of the Chairmen and the entire people of the Local Governments to the administration of Dr. Ahmed.

Amodu-Okandeji called on President Goodluck Jonathan to release funds in the Excess Crude Oil Accounts to the 774 Local Governments in Nigeria to enable them meet their statutory obligations to the people at the grassroots.