The Ekiti State Government has lambasted the immediate past Chairman of Ado Local Council area of the South Western state, Omotunde Fajuyi, over her alleged misleading outburst on payment of monthly allocation to the Council, while she was still in the office.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the State Governor Kayode Fayemi, Yinka Oyebode, faulted the news that quoted the former LG boss, describing it as misleading.
Fajuyi’s remarks, the statement contended, have created the impression of unwholesome financial activities on the part of state officials, expressing hope that the news organisations that published the misleading stories would be responsible enough to “note these facts and shun unprofessional sensationalism”.
Omotunde, Oyebode specified was reported to have alleged that she signed for N100 million allocation monthly, while she held sway as council boss, only to be given a paltry N7 million to run the council.
The Governor’s Spokesman noted while it serves no purpose joining issues with Fajuyi, it was important to state that either the ex-LG head or the news media that reproduced her radio interview misrepresented the facts of the matter, hence, the need to put the record straight for the sake of the reading public and to correct the wrong impression created.
The statement reads in part: “For the avoidance of doubt, the monthly allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to the local government are determined by the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) at the state level. This is in line with relevant provision of the law.
“While the JAAC meeting is held monthly to determine how the allocations to the local government would be disbursed, it is on record that Governor Kayode Fayemi has never meddled in the JAAC affairs nor superintend over any of its meetings. Except for the purpose of mischief, Mrs Fajuyi knew the Governor never had anything to do with JAAC throughout her tenure as council boss.
“It is a common knowledge that the difference between Gross Allocation to all local government (After FAAC) and Net Distributable (ND) is because of some statutory deductions which are usually done before the local government councils are credited.
“These statutory deductions include payment of staff salary; primary school teachers’ salary; payment of traditional institutions, proportional payment of pensioners, payment of political office holders, including the Chairman; payment of health workers salary, proportional payment for security outfits.
“All the above are deducted at the JAAC meeting which usually have in attendance the council chairmen, Commissioner for Local Government, state and local government auditors general, among other state officials.
“It is important for serving and former public office holders to always demonstrate high sense of responsibility in their daily conduct and public engagements, be as truthful as possible, avoid mischief and unwarranted mudslinging as did Mrs Fajuyi”.
Oyebode declared that it “was a shame that Fajuyi’s remarks have created the impression of unwholesome financial activities on the part of state officials. We hope the news organisations that published the misleading stories would be responsible enough to note these facts and shun unprofessional sensationalism”.