The Association of Local Government Areas of Nigeria ALGON, Rivers State chapter, on Wednesday 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 Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers.
The association accused Fubara of withholding its funds meant for the 23 LGAs in the state, lamenting that the action had denied them of their functions in the administration of the LGAs across the state.
According to the LG chairmen, “the action of the Governor is tantamount to proscribing local government councils in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the chairmen on Wednesday, the State ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Allwell Ihunda, said the governor deliberately refused to hold the statutory Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting.
“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.” He said.