The excitement surrounding the recent local government elections in Benue State appears to have waned, as reports reveal that the 23 local government chairmen are not authorized signatories to their councils’ accounts and do not receive financial alerts.
This situation contradicts the Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to the 774 local governments across the country.
Speaking in confidence with a select group of journalists, some aggrieved Benue council chairmen lamented that they are allowed to approve a paltry N100, 000 monthly, with a monthly security vote of N1 million.
Besides, the Benue local government chairmen are said not to be signatories to their respective council treasuries just as their councils’ staff salaries are paid directly by the state’s Bureau of Local Government Affairs
This is even as the state government has yet to provide the elected grassroots officials official vehicles, or allow them access to their respective accounts to purchase their official vehicles, as well as accommodation, to enable them to perform the duties for which they were elected.
It was gathered that since their election on October 5, the council bosses have not been invited for a meeting with the governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia except for some officials gathering.
It was further alleged that the state’s chief executive only relates with officials of the Benue chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) through phone calls.
According to one of the chairmen, who chose to keep his identity under wraps, for fear of victimisation: “What we are witnessing in Benue State, is an aberration of mammoth dimension.
“Do you know that since our election on October 5 2024, no local government chairman has had the privilege of meeting with the governor, Rev. Fr (Dr) Hyacinth Alia?
“What is even more shocking is the fact that we can only approve N100, 000 monthly, and just N1 million as security votes.
“What, in heaven’s name, will one million naira do in the face of the growing security challenges confronting our communities, occasioned by kidnapping, banditry, land grabbing, and the like?
“It is frustrating to the extent that some council bosses are considering the option of resignation, rather than stay and be considered as failures by the good people who gave their respective mandates.”
Another council boss, who spoke in similar vein, corroborated his counterpart, saying: “I align myself with all that my brother disclosed to you today.
“As a matter of fact, there are other anomalies that we have decided to hold back in the interest of peace and security of our dear state.
“But, permit me to add that our beloved governor does not regard us as critical stakeholders deserving of his attention and consideration whatsoever
“That informs why his excellency does not pick our phone calls; he only recognises calls from officials of the state’s Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
“How can these aberrations be taking place in a state that is grappling with existential threats to security and safety of lives and property?
“As council bosses, we are frustrated to the extent of regretting our decision to offer ourselves for service to our people at the grassroots, who are in dire need of development.”
Also speaking, another official, who broke down in tears, claimed this: “It is shameful that, as an executive chairman, I mount ‘okada’ (motor bike) to carry out my official duties.
“It is so bad that I have to ask friends and close family members for funds to hire bikes that convey me to remote communities, where I offer the little assistance I can, in the circumstance.
“Insecurity in the state is not abating because we are empowered through funding to interface with the people, some of whom are responsible for the issues igniting insecurity and it is worrisome that the governor detaches himself from us, being critical stakeholders in this situation.
“I feel that we need the support and active cooperation of the governor to succeed.We should be accorded the recognition and regard we rightfully deserve as elected (not appointed) officials, who are the closest to the suffering masses of our state that has lost its glory as the ‘food basket of the nation, due the pervasive insecurity, “he said.
It was gathered most of the operational vehicles hired by some council chairmen in exercising their constitutional duties have since been retrieved by the owners as they could not maintain the agreement due to paucity of fund at their disposals.
