Stakeholders in the FCT have called on the FCT Administration (FCTA) not to tamper with the monthly allocations of the area councils if the government truly wants development in the rural communities.
Mr Danjuma Tanko Dara, an elder statesman, who spoke to journalists on behalf of other stakeholders, said instead of tampering with the allocations, the administration should work out modalities to increase them.
- NIGERIA DAILY: ‘Why I Do Not Regret Getting Married At 16’
- Nigeria ranks 86th in the world by Digital Quality of Life – Study
He said there was no way rural communities could be properly developed if adequate funds were not given to the council chairmen to manage the communities.
Dara reminded the administration that the allocations shared between the tiers of government were meant for projects of the respective tiers and not for federal projects.
He said, “Example; there are several federal projects all over the states in Nigeria that are not relying on state governments’ allocations or local government councils’. I want to call on the lawmakers to go through the management of FCT allocations and ensure that they are used for what they have been allocated for.
“Is it not surprising that surrounding communities near and far are being cut off from social amenities, especially potable water, good roads, hospitals, schools, among other basic amenities.
“There is the need for the government to improve on the monthly allocations of the area councils because the money is very important to take governance closer to the people at the grassroots and ensure that they have improved living standards through the provision of basic amenities.”