The Rivers State chapter of the Association of Local Government Areas of Nigeria ALGON has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of withholding its funds meant for the 23 LGAs in the state.
The State ALGON Chairman at a press briefing led by Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Allwell Ihunda in Port Harcourt on Wednesday said the Governor was hindering work in the 23 LGAs. have backed the directive for impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara over alleged withheld funds.
The state ALGON said the action had denied them of their functions in the administration of the third tier of government.
The LG chairmen said the action of the Governor is tantamount to proscribing local government councils in the state, even as they backed the call by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Tony Okocha, for the State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the Governor.
Ihunda said: “It has come to the notice of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, that the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has neglected, failed, and deliberately refused to hold the statutory Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting which is the prerequisite for the release and disbursement of funds due to the local government in the State Joint Local Government Accounts.
“And has continued to withhold the statutory allocations due to the 23 local government councils of Rivers State since April 2024.
“And in the case of Emuoha LGA since March 2024 till date for no just course, thereby starving the third tier of the government of the funds required to discharge its statutory functions in the administration of the local government areas.”