By Hutson Efosa/Abuja.
Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, Mninster of State, FCT.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has received and disbursed a total sum of N2.495,241,552.54 billion to the six Area Councils in the FCT and other stakeholders as its share of statutory allocation for the month of September 2020.
Out of this figure, the sum of N867,586,819.11 was made available for distribution to the six area councils, while the sum of N1, 627, 654, 733.43, was made available for other stakeholders, bringing the total to N2.495,241,552.54 billion.
The figure also shows that Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), received N194,908,566.24 million, while Gwagwalada got N183,615,439.22 million and Kuje received N115,354,553.64 million.
Similarly, Bwari Area Council received N117,260,424.14 million, Abaji got N136, 062, 102.45 million and Kwali received N120,385,733.42 million.
Furthermore, distribution to other stakeholders include: Primary Teachers which gulped N1,268,373,922.70 billion, 15 percent Pension Funds took N226, 478, 989.57 million, 1 percent Training Fund gulped N24, 952, 415.53 million and 10 percent Employer Pension Contribution gulped N107, 849, 405.63 million.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, made this known to our correspondent in a statement and also urged the members of the FCT Joint Area Councils Allocation Committee (JAAC), to make disbursed figures public for accountability and transparency in governance.
The Minister, who made this known at the 146th JAAC meeting, also stated that such move to make known the figures distributed to the six Area Councils at the end of every JAAC meeting, would continue in order to promote transparency in the system of governance which is in line with the ideology of Mr. President.
According to Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the meeting would not only promote transparency, but will also reduce tension and suspicion among residents of the Federal Capital Territory.
She again maintained that it is the responsibility of government at all levels to explain to the public, how funds are being disbursed and expended in line with the agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration.
Dr Tijjani Aliyu also stated that it has always been the agenda of the federal government to publish all funds allocated to states and local governments, adding that the FCT Administration would not deviate from such exemplary leadership set by the federal government.
The FCT Minister Of State, also stated that “In the past, funds disbursed to area councils were published for transparency and accountability, and I want that tradition to continue so that people will know want we receive and how their money is being expended.
“To me, this will greatly douse the tension and suspicion among residents that area councils are getting so much and doing nothing with the funds. Besides, if the federal government can publish a detail account of monthly allocations to states and local governments across the country, then the FCT Administration should follow that example set by the government at the centre,” she noted.
