Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has dissolved the joint account system previously shared between the state government and its 13 Local Government Areas, allowing greater financial independence for the local councils.
This decision follows a recent Supreme Court ruling supporting financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local governments.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, Mr. Peter Ahemba, disclosed the development on Tuesday in Lafia, noting that the governor’s decision was in response to the Supreme Court’s July 11 judgment.
The ruling stated that local governments should receive their allocations directly, bypassing state accounts, and mandated that states without elected local governments should have their funds withheld.
In a statement, Ahemba said that abolishing the joint account system would enable local councils to initiate their own developmental projects independently, promoting grassroots progress.
Ahemba also addressed the issue of the new minimum wage. “The governor was ready to implement the N70,000 minimum wage as far back as August and offered to pay arrears for three months,” he explained.
However, due to discussions with organized labor, the decision was delayed in favor of implementing staff promotions first. “The government is now prepared to begin discussions on the new minimum wage since the promotions are completed,” Ahemba stated.
In closing, Ahemba highlighted plans for infrastructure improvements, agricultural investments, and other initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for Nasarawa State residents.
