Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Afolabi Afuape has said the State government would make provision for funds as a bailout for the 20 Local Governments, due to a shortage of N450,356,742.66, arising from first-line charges, in the Federal Allocation for the month of March 2022.

Just as it has approved another N550million for the execution of another round of projects at the councils.

Afuape who made this known at the March 2022 Joint Account Allocation Committee meeting at the Oba’s Conference Hall, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta stated that such shortage was experienced in February.

The Commissioner said the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration would continue to give necessary support to the LGs to perform their statutory functions at the grassroots.

In his presentation, Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Dapo Okuboyejo represented by Director Treasury, Office of the Accountant-General, Mrs. Adunola Adebayo, said a total of N3,059,172,835.12 was the summary allocation for the month, and a total of first-line charges of N4,142,315, 142.65 was disbursed to the 20 Local Governments, saying a deficit of N450,356,742.66, would be needed to balance the net payment, while a sum of N632,785,564.87 forms  Pay As You Earn, Contributory Pension, five percent Bond on Pension and Cooperative and Loans, were still pending for payment until government revenue increases.

In their various remarks at the meeting, the Chairman Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Mr. Abiodun Akinola, and the President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Ayuba Akanji appreciated the State Government for prompt payment of the Union's check-off dues despite the shortage of funds.