Date: 2018-01-07

The Majority Leader, Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Hassan Oyeleke has exonerated Kwara State Government from allegation of diverting councils' fund through Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC).

Hon. Hassan Oyeleke in a radio programme recently stated that the State government led by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has not taken any from the JAAC.

His words: "I can tell you categorically that Kwara State Government under the leadership of Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed has not taken any money from JAAC. JAAC is the joint account for all the 16 local government areas in the state. To best of my knowledge as the majority leader of Kwara State House Assembly since 2015, the state government is not diverting councils' fund. The monthly to Councils' allocation from Federation Account goes directly to the joint account while allocation for the state goes to state account.

"The fund that is coming to local governments from federation account is not enough for them to meet their financial obligations. Councils in the state usually shares allocation accrue to them at the monthly JAAC meeting."

The Lawmaker however urged Chairmen/chairpersons of councils to be innovative and device ways that would increase their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

He said local governments must increase their IGR and avoid wasteful spending in order to meet financial obligations such as payment of salaries/pensions and other services to bring dividends of democracy the people.

Hon. Oyeleke advised councils to invest in agriculture to boost their IGR, noting that members of Kwara State House of Assembly jointly invested N40million in soya beans planting in 2017 and made N60million profit.