The 20 Local Government (LGs) in Ogun State have received their shares of the Federation Account Allocation, totalling N3,893,959,271.31 for the month of February 2023.

          This disclosure was made at the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting for March 2023, held at Oba’s Conference Hall, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

          Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, who declared the meeting open, urged the local government chairmen to intensify efforts on improving their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots.

          Hamzat sought the approval of the Committee to allow payment of leave bonuses on a monthly basis as promised by the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for the State’s workforce.

          Contributing, Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, State Treasury and Accountant-General, Babatunde Aregbesola, presented the total of N3,893,959,271.31 as a statutory collection for the month of February, Value Added Tax (VAT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), Forex Equalisation and Non-Oil, representing shares to the 20 LGs in the State.

          Mr, Okubadejo noted that a sum of N4,466,318,898.35 would be needed for the payment of first-line charges, which included Primary School Teachers’ Salaries, Local Government Staff’ Salaries, Pensions, Traditional Councils, Payment of Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Arrears and Statutory Payment to Local Government Service Commission.

          Others, according to him were the January and February 2023 Leave Bonus to State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Local Government Staff and other charges, saying this excluded PAYE and five percent on Pension, amounting to a total of N317,061,251.73, which are yet to be effected, while a sum of N255,298,375.31 remains as a gross deficit for the month.

          In his response, Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Ogun State Branch, Babatunde Emilola-Gazal moved the motion for the approval of the payment of the Leave Bonus, while the Remo North and Ifo LGs Chairmen, Honourable Odunsi Adedapo and Kikelomo Delano seconded the motions respectively.

          On his part, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ogun State, Comrade Ayuba Olatunji appreciated the government for keeping to the promise of paying the leave bonus on a monthly basis.