Abia: Local Government Funds Not Reaching Councils – Don Ubani

Former Abia State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Don Ubani, has raised concerns over the management of local governments in the state, claiming that funds meant for councils are not reaching their intended destinations.

Speaking on a morning programme on Wednesday, Ubani described the local government system in Abia as being “hijacked,” highlighting the resulting neglect of essential services and infrastructure.

“Nothing is happening in Abia State. The local governments have been hijacked, and their funds are not reaching the councils,” Ubani said.

He pointed to the Okwa West Local Government Area as a case in point, where the High Court premises have reportedly been overrun by weeds. According to him, workers in the court have even threatened to relocate to Aba due to the poor state of the facility, which the council is unable to maintain because of a lack of funds.

Ubani also criticized the state administration, noting that political appointments, including the positions of Permanent Secretaries, have contributed to governance challenges. “This is a governor who knows constitutionally that the positions of Permanent Secretary are political,” he added.

The former commissioner’s comments come amid ongoing debates about local government autonomy and financial accountability in Abia State, as residents and officials continue to express frustration over stalled projects and insufficient funding at the grassroots level.

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