The Local Government Pensioners Association of Nigeria, Ogun state chapter has blamed the claims of diversion of local government funds to the system.
The association’s chairman, Benedict Ademoye, who is also a member of the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) in the state, emphasized the allegation which makes it the fourth signifies that something was wrong and that it is not the governor’s fault, but rather the system.
Ademoye while addressing newsmen on Monday in Abeokuta, highlighted how the local governments were operating during the military government but the system was later changed due to the inability to pay workers and pensioners.
“ What is happening currently in Ogun State is happening in all states of the federation. Situation in other states are worse than Ogun State.The model is 22 years old. There is need for review. This goes beyond Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun and Ogun State. It is a NATIONAL MATTER. The review will involve the 36 state houses of assembly, the national assembly, the national economic council, and the presidency.
He insisted that the impeached chairman, Wale Adedayo, ought to have consulted knowledgeable state professionals for guidance and an explanation adding that he can not get victory at the end of the case emanated as “ A path cannot be greater than the whole”
” The claims of the suspended chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Mr. Wale Adedayo are FALSE.
“ He did not understand the system. If he had consulted with Experienced, competent, and knowledgeable local government practitioners, he would have been better informed.
“The three-tier of government, federal, states and Local Governments were constitutionally mandated to settle first line charges or joint services whenever they get fund from the federal allocation.
“First line payments include staff salaries, wages, pensions, gratuities e.t.c.
The LOGPAN chairman while noting that the state governor has no access to the local government account, explained that the constitution provides the Joint Local Government Allocation Committee (JAAC) authority to manage the local government account.
“The constitution of Nigeria, provided for a body called the Joint Local Government Allocation Committee (JAAC) which manages the joint local government account. All Local Government chairmen are members.
“The state NULGE president, NUT representatives, the state chairman of LOGPAN, representatives of the four traditional councils (Egba, Ijebu, Remo, Yewa) among others are members and when funds come to the state each month, members meet and allocate funds giving PRIORITY to first line charges.
“First line charges include primary school teachers salaries, salaries of Local Government workers, Pensions and Gratuities of retired primary school teachers as well as retired Local Government workers and 5% allocation to traditional councils among others.
He added that funds obtained from Abuja are most times not sufficient as Dapo Abiodun augmentsit.
Meanwhile, on the issue regarding the gratuity of the pensioners, he added that the state government had disbursed 1bn for Pensioners in March 2023, and August but are still owning June and September.
