Area Councils, stakeholders share N2.9Bn as June allocation

By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Administration has disbursed a total sum of N2,903,139,412.86billion to the six Area Councils in the FCT and other stakeholders as its share of statutory allocation for the month of June 2022.

A breakdown of the figures released during the JAAC meeting indicate that the sum of N622,223,249.20million made available for distribution to the six area councils, while the sum of N2,280,916,163.66billion was made available to other stakeholders, bringing the total sum to N2,903,139,412.86billion.  

Also, distributions to area councils show that the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), received N140,340,099.54million, while Gwagwalada got N90,790,068.65million and Kuje received N128,422,208.31million.

Others such as Bwari Area Council  received N89,245,658.86million, Abaji got N92,585,160.45million while Kwali received N80,840,053.39million, bringing the total sum to N622,223,249.20million disbursed to the six area councils.

Furthermore, distribution to other critical stakeholders include: Primary School Teachers which gulped N1,917,556,374.33billion, 15 percent Pension Funds took N226,478,989.57million, One percent Training Fund gulped N29,031,394.13million, while 10 percent Employer Pension Contribution gulped N107,849,405.63million, bringing the total sum to N2,280,916,163.66billion.  

Accorfing to the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, who presided over the 166th Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), tasked councils leadership to scale-up revenue generation with a view to meeting up critical needs of rural communities in the territory.  

Aliyu, however, expressed displeasure over the attitude of some council authorities who have embarked on recruitment of staff without corresponding value for revenue generation.

The Minister therefore appealed to chairmen to ensure that financial burden was not placed on the councils, just as she reiterated that the era of politics are over.

She said: “While it is the responsibility of government at all levels to provide jobs, I am also of the opinion that such exercise should be done in corresponding value of revenue generation within your councils.

“It makes no sense to me if we carry out recruitment that will become financial burden to all of us”.

Those present at the 166th Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), meeting include the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, Mandate Secretary Area Council Services, Hon. Ibrahim Abubakar Dantsoho, Director of Administration and Finance, FCT Area Council Services Secretariat, Mrs. Omolola Olanipekun, Chairmen of the six area councils,  amongst others.