By Our Reporter
The Chairman of Yakurr Local Government Area and head of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Cross River State, Yibala Inyang, has strongly dismissed claims that local governments in the state are underfunded or starved of resources.
Speaking in response to allegations raised by PDP governorship candidate, Sir Arthur Jarvis, during a press conference at the NUJ Secretariat in Calabar recently, Inyang stated unequivocally that local governments are currently experiencing their best era in terms of funding, autonomy, and strategic partnership under Governor Bassey Otu’s administration.
Inyang described the allegations of grassroots poverty and local government underfunding as a “total fallacy.” He emphasized that under the current administration, council chairmen have been empowered to execute developmental projects directly and collaborate with the state government on critical sectors including healthcare, local security, sanitation, and infrastructure.
“Local government funds are meant for the development of the local governments, and the funds are properly utilized for their purpose,” Inyang stated. “This is the first time in the history of Cross River that you have a governor who allows funds meant for local governments to be used to carry out developmental projects and interventions in our various wards.”
He further defended the joint account system between the state and local governments, noting that an enabling law supports the arrangement to ensure balanced development. Without this mechanism, Inyang explained, several councils with lower allocation baselines would struggle to meet running costs or payroll obligations. He confirmed that under Governor Otu, no local government in the state owes salary or worker imprests.
To substantiate his statements, Inyang outlined several completed and ongoing infrastructural projects across the 13 council wards in Yakurr, including the construction of multiple culverts in Ekori and Ijom, a mini bridge in Nko (Abanghankpai ward), and drainage works on major farm roads to facilitate agricultural transport.
He mentioned the construction of a new Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Ijiman ward, Ugep, through a community-council partnership, along with upcoming rehabilitation plans for local school structures. The Chairman also highlighted the rehabilitation of the Nko Modern Market in Nkpolo ward, ongoing construction of a modern market in Ekori, completion of a mini pavilion at the Ugep Stadium, and near-completion of a similar pavilion in the Mkpani community.
Inyang added that these initiatives are being complemented by state-driven urban road projects in Ugep, with expansions planned for Ekori and Idomi.
On security, he said the council maintain an active, supported role in managing local security threats, noting that long-standing communal clashes have been significantly curbed due to coordinated financial and operational support from the state government, preventing localized disputes from escalating into state-wide threats.
Turning his attention to political opponents aiming for the 2027 elections, Inyang urged opposition figures to abandon “subtle blackmail and old-style propaganda.”
Directly addressing the candidacy and one-term pledge of Sir Arthur Jarvis, the Chairman argued that managing a state requires extensive public sector experience rather than private enterprise background alone.
“Arthur Jarvis should first prove that he can run government, not just running a school,” Inyang said, adding that Governor Bassey Otu has consistently demonstrated prudent administration and a people-oriented governance approach throughout his tenure.
