The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Ebonyi State chapter, has revealed that the state pays the highest Value Added Tax (VAT) in the South East despite its low monthly allocation from the federal government.
The association stated that the state is second to last in terms of receiving a low federal allocation.
The Chairman of the association and Chairman of Ezza North Local Government Area of the state, Chief Moses Ogodoali Nomeh, made this known at the association’s office in Abakaliki, the state capital, during a courtesy visit by members of the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by their Acting Chairman, Uchenna Inya.
He noted that despite receiving a low allocation, the state has performed remarkably well compared to other states in the federation.
The former Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources in the state mentioned that local government chairmen in the state will leave behind many legacies before the end of their two-year administration. He emphasised that they have excelled in various sectors of governance.
“Ebonyi State pays the highest VAT in the whole of the South East; the records are there. And as I speak, we are not the poorest in terms of individual empowerment in the whole Southeast, let alone the country.
“We are second to last in terms of federal allocation; Ebonyi receives a low allocation from the federal government, but the state is doing wonderfully well.
“Ebonyi State is doing well. We are doing well in terms of administration, infrastructural development, production, and natural endowments.
“I know the legacies we have left within one year in terms of road infrastructure, streetlights, electricity, schools, and other social amenities cannot be equalled by any other local government administration in the country.
“We collaborated with the former governor of the state and built solar lights, which have made Ebonyi different from other states of the federation.
We also constructed roads, bridges, and culverts. It is only in Ebonyi that you cannot find bad roads in the south-east.
“It is only in Ebonyi that you can see flyovers everywhere. We accomplished some of these projects as joint ventures, and it is working. Before we finish our two years, we will leave a legacy that cannot be surpassed anywhere,” he stated.
The council Chairman expressed the belief that the local government chairmen will support Governor Francis Nwifuru to achieve more than his predecessor, Chief Dave Umahi, who is now the Minister of Works in the country, describing the governor as a visionary and pragmatic leader.
Earlier, the Acting Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state, Uchenna Inya, stated that journalists engage in investigative, development, and peace journalism as part of their social responsibility.
He urged the council chairmen to do more for their people, emphasising that only the best is good for the local government system and the state.
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