FCTA shares N2 bn to area councils, others

THE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has disbursed about N2 billion to the six Council Areas in the FCT and other stakeholders as its share of statutory allocation for the month of April.

The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr Babatope Ajakaiye, who announced this, on Thursday, in a statement endorsed by the Press Secretary, FCT permanent secretary’s office, Tony Odey, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja, said the figure showed that the April allocation was higher than last month’s allocation by N80 million.

According to the statement, the breakdown of the allocation shows that Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) got the highest share of N169 million, followed by Gwagwalada, who received N165 million and Kwali with N143 million, respectively.

“Similarly, Kuje Area Council received N142 million, Abaji N141 million and Bwari got N136 million. Statutory deductions from the release includes: Primary School Teachers’ salaries which gulped N998 million and 15 per cent Pension Funds equivalent to N95 million.

“Others are 1 per cent Training Funds got N19 million and 10 per cent Employer Pension Contribution received N73 million,” the statement added.

In his response, the Chairman of Kwali Area Council, who is also the Chairman of the state chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Honourable Shazin Joseph, described the allocation as balanced and equitable.

He, therefore, commended FCT administration for not taking a kobo from the allocations of the area councils.