Senate Urges Jonathan To Release Allocation To 15 LGs

The Nigerian Senate has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to direct the release of all withheld federal statutory funds for the fifteen affected local government areas in Borno, Niger, Plateau and Yobe states with effect from December 2011 to date.

This resolution was reached after the debate on a motion sponsored by Senator Ahmed Lawan and 28 others on the non-disbursement of statutory funds to local government areas placed under state of emergency on December 31, 2011 by President Jonathan.

In his lead debate which came in form of a point of order on Tuesday plenary, Senator Lawan noted that though the proclamation is to provide effective security as enshrined in section 14 sub-section 2(b) of the constitution, the non disbursement of allocation has created more challenging financial and security situation for the people of the affected areas.

Ruling on the motion which was supported by most senators, Senate President David Mark affirmed that it will be in the best interest of the people for government to release funds to the affected councils.

By Desmond Utomwen/Abuja