‎FG Says Local Government Allocations Still Go Through Joint Accounts as Only Two States Comply with Supreme Court Order

‎FG Says Local Government Allocations Still Go Through Joint Accounts as Only Two States Comply with Supreme Court Order
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‎The Federal Government, through Federal Commissioner representing Oyo State at the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Honourable Abimbola Kolade, has disclosed that allocations to local governments across Nigeria are still being paid into state joint accounts, with only two states currently disbursing funds directly to their local councils.
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‎Honorable Kolade, who is also the National President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), made this known while speaking on the ongoing implementation of local government financial autonomy, noting that the process remains gradual despite the Supreme Court ruling in favour of direct funding for local councils.
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‎He explained that, as it stands, funds from the Federation Account are not yet being sent straight to local governments nationwide, as allocations still pass through the joint state-local government accounts controlled by state governments.
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‎According to him, only Katsina State and Lagos State have so far demonstrated compliance by receiving their allocations and transferring the funds directly to their respective local government councils.
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‎Kolade, however, urged stakeholders not to panic, stressing that the Supreme Court judgment has provided a clear legal backing for full financial autonomy for local governments, which will eventually be implemented across all states.
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‎He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is deeply committed to resolving all challenges surrounding the policy and is keen on ensuring that the autonomy of local governments becomes a reality in line with constitutional provisions.
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‎The RMAFC commissioner expressed confidence that sustained political will and adherence to the law would soon lead to full compliance nationwide, thereby strengthening grassroots governance, improving accountability and enhancing service delivery at the local level.
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