By Onwa Ekor
The Chairman of Yakurr local government area and ALGON Chairman in Cross River, Chief Yibala Inyang, has said local governments in the state are enjoying their best period of funding and partnership under the administration of Prince Bassey Otu.
Inyang, who spoke in Calabar while reacting to allegations of underfunding by a factional PDP governorship aspirant, Sir Arthur Jarvis, said, LGs now have the capacity to execute projects and partner with the state government in health, sanitation, security and infrastructure.
“Most of the politicians jostling to take over from the APC-led government are not fit for the position,” he said.
“Running a state is in-depth and requires experience and exposure in various political and public offices of high repute,” Inyang reasoned.
Dismissing claims that underfunding of LGs was deepening poverty at the grassroots, the ALGON boss described the allegation as “a total fallacy.”
“In this administration, local governments have the power to execute projects and partner with the state to intervene in critical areas such as health, sanitation, local security and infrastructural development.
“Local government funds are meant for the development of the LGAs and the funds are properly utilised for that purpose. This is the result of a healthy partnership aimed at ensuring even development across the state,” he stated.
Inyang said the joint state-local government account had strengthened fiscal stability.
His words: “Without the joint account, some LGAs would not be able to pay salaries and meet running costs in some months because of low allocation. That is why no LGA in this administration is owing salaries.
On the debate over autonomy, he said performance mattered more than semantics.
“To me, autonomy is just semantics. What is important is performance and the dividends that accrue from it. Funds have been equitably distributed and well circulated. We are not starved of funds,” he said.
Inyang described Otu as the first governor to allow LG funds to be used directly for projects and interventions in wards across the state, and questioned why anyone would allege diversion of funds.
Giving an account of projects in Yakurr, Inyang said road construction was ongoing across the LGA, with interventions in drainages, culverts and markets to ease evacuation of farm produce.
“In almost 12 of the 13 wards we have executed one or two projects based on needs assessment.
“We have constructed culverts in Ekori, a mini bridge in Nko, Abanghankpai Ward, and rehabilitated the Nko Modern Market in Nkpolo Ward. We are also completing a modern market in Ekori and have constructed a double-decker culvert in Ijom near the General Hospital in Ugep,” the ALGON Chairman said”
He added that a new Primary Health Centre is being built in Ijiman Ward, Ugep, through community-LG partnership. A mini pavilion at the Ugep Stadium has been completed, while the one in Mkpani is nearing completion.
“The state government is also complementing the councils. Major road projects are ongoing in Ugep, while Ekori and Idomi are next in line,” he said.
Inyang advised politicians ahead of 2027 to avoid blackmail and misinformation.
“Let them tell us what we have not done and how they will do it better if given the opportunity,” he said.
He credited the Otu administration with key milestones including resolution of the oil wells case, recovery of Tinapa and the state’s agricultural estates.
On security, he said council chairmen had played major roles in managing communal clashes, with support from the state government.
On Jarvis’ “one-term” comment, Inyang said: “I don’t think he is fit to run half a term, not to talk of one full term. Governance of a state requires experience. Otu has demonstrated the qualities of a prudent administrator with a people-oriented mindset. His achievements in this first tenure show he is the person Cross River deserves at the moment.” Inyang disclosed.
