The umbrella body of the 774 local government areas in the country, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, has demanded 35 per cent of the federal allocation.
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, through its Chairman, Mr Elias Mbam had inaugurated a committee to review the present revenue allocation formula, and create a new formula for the nation.
It was gathered that the governors of the 36 states said they would demand 42 per cent as against their current 26.72 per cent, while proposing that the Federal Government’s share be slashed from 52.68 per cent to 37 per cent and the local governments’ share be increased from 20.60 per cent to 23 per cent.
The association, therefore, rejected the 23 per cent proposed for the local governments by governors. The local government, as the third tier of government, currently gets 20.60 per cent from the federal allocation.
National President, ALGON, Mr Alabi David disclosed in an interview on Thursday that their 35 per cent demand had become imperative following the huge responsibilities carried out by the councils.
He argued that the present system where the Federal Government got the highest allocation was not good for the country in terms of infrastructural development.
He stressed that with the reality on the ground, the local governments should get the highest allocation followed by the states while the Federal Government should get the least percentage.
