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| Governor Dapo Abiodun |
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has clarified that the local government funds within the state are allocated primarily for the remuneration of primary school educators, traditional leaders, and local government officials, including chairmen and administrators.
In a recent interview on Channels TV's Politics Today, Governor Abiodun stated he does not have signing authority over the local government accounts.
He further mentioned that the state's internally generated revenue (IGR) supplements these funds to cover any potential deficits.
Governor Abiodun elaborated, "Our state receives federal allocations in two segments: FAC and JERK. The latter, JERK, is specifically directed towards local governments. I, as governor, do not sign off on this account. It is recognized once the funds are received.
"A JERK assembly is convened, consisting of local council chairmen, select traditional leaders, and members of the local government service commission. This inclusive group is responsible for disbursing the funds, starting with the 'first line charges'—the salaries of primary school teachers, traditional rulers, and the local government chairmen and administrators.
"Should there be any shortfall, it necessitates that I issue a check from the FAC, bolstered by our IGR, to ensure adequate funding. This process reflects the management of local government finances in my state, which I believe is a common practice across all 36 states. However, it's unfortunate that state governors often face unwarranted criticism."
