By: Oladimeji Suleiman
Matter arising and a big question as to the claims by Kwara state government on compliance with the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) guidelines on the allocation and disbursement of Local Government funds.
It is worthy to note that the creation of the State Joint Local Government Account System (SJLGAS) by section 162 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria only recognise Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC) not Allocation Distribution Committee (ADC) as being currently practice in the State.
Consequently, NFIU provided only 3 Accounts for each Local Government to receive their monthly allocation. According to its directives, Local Governments are to receive their allocations directly into their accounts, the first stream is the State/ Local Joint Account (SLJA) from FAAC, and immediately after the monthly JAAC meeting and the disbursement is done, it will go to their 3 respective accounts.
Furthermore, the 3 NFIU approved accounts for their operations are;
1. Single Revenue Account
2. Single Salary Account
3. Single Running Cost Account
Hence, the simple analogy should be, if Mr A received sum amount on behalf of Mr B, and the rule is “Give Mr B all what is due to him”, unfortunately, Mr B received a lesser amount, but, how could he be so handicap to challenge his right?
It is my hope that the 16 Council’s DPMs will be able to explain the flow of revenue into their various accounts as directed by the Federal Government, if not, the same judgement of the suspended Council Chairmen awaits them in near future.