Kaduna Governor, El-Rufai Abolish State & Local Governments Joint Accounts

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, yesterday abolished state & local government joint account, saying his government would be remitting its 10% of IGR to LG councils.

In a statement released shortly after the swearing-in ceremony of chairmen of Interim Management Committees of 23 local government councils, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Kaduna State Governor, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed that Governor Malam Nasir el-Rufai has abolished ‘state and local government joint account’, saying his government would be remitting its 10% of Internally Generated Revenue, to local government councils in the state.

He said the governor also warned the chairmen against residing outside their local government areas and advised that anyone of them who cannot live in the local government he has been appointed to serve should vacate the office.

“You have no excuse to fail. Perform and bring real development to our state at the local government level. I am using this occasion to fulfill our campaign promises, during the campaign we said we would not hold local government funds, if elected.

"Therefore, I am happy to inform you that the government under our watch has formally abolished joint account in Kaduna State, there will be no more holding local government funds hostage under the pretence of joint account.

"Added to this, I also wish to inform you that the government will do its best to be remitting ten percent of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue to the local government areas of our dear state. Like I said, we must deliver; we can’t let our people down.

"You must take security serious, partner with traditional rulers and religious leaders and the entire stakeholders. Don’t be arrogant to your people; you are assigned to serve them and nothing more than that. We will not hesitate to call you to order if you think you will play with our people and the trust vested in you.

"We did not appoint you because of your religion, ethnicity or where you come from. You have been appointed to work and bring positive change,’’ he said.