Enugu Deputy ALGON Chair Says State Govt Does Not Touch LG Funds

The Deputy Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Enugu State, Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, has dismissed claims that the state government interferes with federal allocations meant for councils.

Ukwueze, who also chairs Igbo-Eze South Local Government, made this known during an interactive session with journalists in Nsukka on Monday.

He explained that the 17 councils in Enugu have been working in partnership with the state government to deliver services at both grassroots and state levels. According to him, the collaboration has enabled local administrations to carry out projects that would have been impossible if funds were being diverted.

In Igbo-Eze South, each of the 16 wards now has a new primary health centre, complementing existing facilities. The council also boasts 16 Smart Green Schools, 10 of which are already roofed and three set to begin academic activities this month. Ukwueze noted that no local government could have singlehandedly achieved such projects, considering that each school costs about ₦1.2 billion.

He stressed that the state government is focused on building structures while councils provide support in other ways. This, he said, reflects a healthy synergy rather than interference with local funds.

The council boss outlined his “Progress Agenda” as the guiding plan for his administration, aimed at addressing challenges he met on assumption of office. He said his leadership has already made progress in renovating administrative blocks, creating and stabilising roads, boosting security, electrifying communities, expanding water supply, and upgrading markets with financial institutions.

Other achievements he listed include improved staff welfare and initiatives to build human capacity. While acknowledging that much work still lies ahead, he insisted that visible results show that the council is on the right path.

Ukwueze praised Governor Peter Mbah for creating the right atmosphere for development and expressed gratitude to journalists for their watchdog role. He urged them to remain committed to professional ethics while reporting.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Nsukka Chapel commended the chairman for his development projects, describing his efforts as people-oriented. The union urged him to sustain the momentum, noting that true leadership is measured by service to humanity.