, granting full financial autonomy to local councils.){kind=link}
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has officially ended the joint account system between the state government and the 13 local government areas (LGAs), granting full financial autonomy to local councils.
Peter Ahemba, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, announced the decision on Tuesday during a media briefing in Lafia, the state capital.
According to Ahemba, the move aligns with the Supreme Court’s ruling that affirms financial independence for the country’s 774 LGAs.
He emphasized that Governor Sule’s administration is committed to the rule of law, viewing the dissolution of the joint account as a step towards enabling local governments to drive more development.
“Governor Sule is known for his transparency and accountability. This decision reflects his belief in the rule of law and commitment to empowering the LGAs,” Ahemba said.
Additionally, he announced that the state government will implement the N70,000 minimum wage recently approved by the federal government.
“Governor Sule had expressed willingness to enforce the new minimum wage since August, with plans to pay three months’ arrears,” Ahemba noted.
“However, organized labor requested priority for promotion-related adjustments, to which the governor agreed. Now that promotions have been implemented, the government is ready to proceed with discussions on the new wage.”
The governor’s aide assured residents that the administration remains dedicated to improving infrastructure and promoting significant investment in agriculture to address food security and poverty in the state.