The Akwa Ibom state government has said it is fully aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s directive that funds should be paid directly to local governments.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniekan Umanah, stated this on Friday, noting that Governor Umo Eno has consistently supported financial autonomy for local government councils.
Umanah said that even before the Supreme Court judgment which affirmed direct allocation to councils, Governor Eno had never interfered with local government funds.
He maintained that the governor is a strong advocate of grassroots development, a commitment he said has enabled local governments in the state to thrive.
“Governor Umo Eno is a lover of grassroots development, and that is why he fully supports the President’s directive for funds to be sent directly to local governments,” Umanah said.
“Local governments in the state are executing projects, awarding contracts and carrying out empowerment programmes at the grassroots because the state government does not tamper with their funds.
“To the governor, President Tinubu’s renewed directive is not just an instruction, but a moral duty for all governors across the country to allow the third tier of government to be financially independent.
“Visit any of the 31 local government areas of the state and you will confirm that this administration aligns with the President’s mandate to uplift local communities,” he added.
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