The Niger State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to local government chairmen who have failed to remit proceeds from the sale of subsidized food items distributed by the state government.

Committee Chairman Bello Bako, during an interface with the 25 local government chairmen, revealed that only four local government areas—Bosso, Paikoro, Suleja, and Rafi—have fully remitted sales proceeds to the state, more than two months after receiving the food items.

According to reports submitted by the council chairmen, several local governments are still owing significant amounts. Chanchaga Local Government owes N65 million, while Edati Local Government has an outstanding balance of N75 million, among others.

Bako expressed disappointment at the situation, stating that "The efforts of some local government chairmen are frustrating the governor's initiatives. Now, with Sallah approaching, the governor should be planning new initiatives to curtail costs."

LG Chairmen Cite Damaged Grains as Reason for Delay

In their defense, the local government chairmen attributed the delay in remittance to the poor condition of the foodstuffs upon delivery to their councils.

Iliyasu Zakari, Chairman of Agwara Local Government and ALGON Chairman, highlighted concerns about the damaged state of the grains and logistics issues that necessitated repackaging. "This issue is not peculiar to Agwara alone because many other local governments suffered the same experience from the grains supplied by Niger Foods," Zakari explained.

Similarly, Sunday Daniel Yisa, Chairman of Edati Local Government, cited the damaged state of grains supplied by Niger Foods Company as the reason for the non-remittance of the outstanding balance.

The Assembly committee has warned that failure to comply with the 24-hour directive would attract penalties, including possible suspension of the defaulting chairmen.

The subsidized food program is part of the state government's initiative to alleviate the economic hardship faced by residents, particularly as the Sallah celebration approaches.