AbdulRazaq denies diverting LG funds – The Informant247
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has denied a report alleging him of interfering with the allocations to the local government councils in the state.
The Governor through the statement signed by the Special Adviser, Political Communication, Alhaji Bashir Adigun described the report by a national newspaper as fake and also explained that there are no funds to steal at the local governments as their entire statutory allocation and IGR are not enough to pay their salaries 100%.
“It should also be noted that there are no funds to steal at the local governments (LG) as their entire statutory allocation and IGR are not enough to pay their salaries 100%.
The state government had to loan the local governments N110 million to enable them to pay 100% salaries for the month of March,” the statement read in part.
Describing the report as ‘fake’, Adigun further explained that the report lacks basis and elements of fair and balanced reporting.
“The said publication is, to say the least, sensational, mischievous, un-ethical and failed the test of balanced reporting.
The report, broadcast by some radio stations and bloggers in the state, made a weighty allegation of diversion of funds by some state governments in its headline but nowhere in the body of the story is this found.
“Radio stations in the state are particularly reminded of National Broadcasting Commission regulations against fake news,” he added.
He further reiterated that AbdulRazaq’s administration remains transparent, accountable and focuses on developments that transform lives in the state.
“It may be recalled that the setting up of a judicial panel of enquiry into similar false allegation of diversion of funds last year which gave Governor AbdulRazaq a clean bill was in continued demonstration of His Excellency’s commitment not only to transparency but his policy direction on the financial autonomy for the local governments.
“Governor AbdulRazaq is also on record as the first and only state governor who has voluntarily invited and involved NGO to conduct social audit of his administration.”