Hon. Dannie “Manja” Ubani Clears the Air on Local Government Allocations in Abia State, Defends Governor Alex Otti’s Transparency and Explains Joint Project System

A chieftain of the Labour Party in Abia State and the 2023 Labour Party candidate for Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, Hon. Dannie “Manja” Ubani, popularly known as “Ord. Eze Muo”, has addressed growing misconceptions surrounding the issue of local government allocations under the administration of Governor Alex Otti.

Speaking during a live radio interview on DON 103.7 FM’s flagship programme, “The Agenda,” Hon. Ubani clarified the structure and management of local government funds, urging the public to understand how allocations are distributed and utilized in line with the law.

During the session, Hon. Ubani firmly stated: 

“I disagree with you, Mr. K. Any local government chairman or mayor who says he doesn’t know how much is accrued to his council is either being economical with the truth or not qualified to be there. What he receives, is it not what is accrued to him?”

Addressing comments made by legal practitioner Barr. Monday Ubani, Hon. Manja explained that although respected, his statements represent personal opinions and not the official position of the state government or local government chairmen.

“Let me come in here. Let me take you up on this, Monday Ubani as erudite and scholarly as he is, he’s only expressing his own personal opinion. He’s not in the position to speak for the government or the local government mayors and chairmen. He’s entitled to his opinion, but it remains personal,” Hon. Ubani asserted.

On the subject of financial transparency, Hon. Ubani emphasized that all allocations are directly disbursed from the Federation Account to the respective tiers of government, including the local councils:

“Are you not in this country? Are you not aware of direct disbursement as a matter of law from the Federation Account to the various tiers of government?” he asked.

He further elaborated on the principle of joint projects between different levels of government, noting that such collaborations are legal and beneficial for development:

“Even the states do joint projects with the Federal Government. A state government can enter into a joint project with the Federal Government or with local governments. These partnerships are done to address specific developmental needs.”

Hon. Ubani also highlighted the importance of understanding the peculiarities of each local government area, stressing that policies or strategies effective in one council might not work in another.

“Each local council has its own peculiarities. Most people who criticize what happens at the local council level are not well informed about the essence of local administration as an independent third-tier government. What gave rise to local government administration is the need to handle local peculiarities.

“I am from Isiala Ngwa South, and we are now in Umuahia South, right? There are certain variables and factors peculiar to Isiala Ngwa South that differ from what is obtainable in Umuahia South. When you use a model that worked in Umuahia South and apply it directly to Isiala Ngwa South, you are bound to fail,” he clarified.

On the challenges facing some councils, Hon. Ubani pointed out that years of irresponsible employment practices under previous administrations have left certain local governments overstaffed and financially burdened.

“Do you know that some local governments cannot even pay their workers? Why is that? A local government like Aba North is over-bloated. Previous governments gave out employment recklessly as a form of poverty alleviation, employing relatives and friends without defined roles. Some councils can’t even pay their teachers, and that gave rise to the establishment of agencies like ASUBEB.” he disclosed.

Concluding his remarks, Hon. Ubani clarified that the joint project arrangement between the state and local councils does not in any way undermine their financial autonomy.

“These joint projects do not obliterate or water down the financial independence of local councils. They are collaborative efforts designed to ensure that scarce resources are efficiently managed to meet developmental goals,” he said.

Hon. Dannie “Manja” Ubani’s explanation has been widely commended by listeners for bringing clarity to the ongoing public debate on local government allocations and for defending the administration of Governor Alex Otti as transparent, reform-driven, and people-oriented.