Reps Assure FCT Traditional Institutions Of Adequate Funding, Support
By our correspondent
The House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils and Ancillary Matters has assured traditional rulers in the city of support for better funding of the traditional institution.
The Committee also assured the traditional rulers that it will look into the possibility of giving a legislative backing to the five per cent deduction from area councils’ funds for the traditional institutions, upgrade of the trade stools and creation of more chiefdoms for effective functions.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Fredrick Agbedi, stated this during an interaction of members of the panel and the traditional council of the FCT on Monday in Abuja.
Agbedi said “We recogniae and appreciate the critical role traditional rulers play in cultural preservation, security, conflicts resolution and community development in governance.
“Your leadership has been instrumental in fostering peace and stability within the FCT, and your contributions to local development is invaluable.
“I also want to use this avenue to acknowledge sets of your requests regarding the allocation of five per cent from the funds designated for the area councils in the FCT to support traditional institutions.
However, the disbursement and allocation of funds within the FCT are governed by provisions of statutory budgetary framework that prioritises various sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social welfare.
“While we acknowledge the merit of your request, the current financial framework does not explicitly provide for such an allocation to traditional institutions. Any allocation of such funds will require legislative review and policy amendments to ensure compliance with existing financial regulations.
Additionally, we wish to inform you that there is currently an Area Councils Administration Establishment Bill that has just gone through the first reading in the House of Representatives.
This committee will liaise with all relevant stakeholders to consider all avenues for creating provisions that address the concerns of traditional rulers, including the allocation of funds for traditional institutions.
In the interim, we encourage traditional councils to also engage with the area councils to discuss potential avenues for partnerships and mutually beneficial initiatives that align with existing budgetary provisions.
“We also assure you that we’re open to further discussions on this issue, and will continue to support the recognition of traditional institutions within the broader governance structure.
“That said, we remain committed to collaborative efforts toward enhancing the welfare of traditional institutions and to explore possible mechanisms though which the role of traditional rulers can be better supported within the bigger and financial framework of the FCT and Area Councils.
In his remarks, Chairman of the FCT Traditional Council, HRH, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa (Abaji Chiefdom), informed the committee that the graded chiefs under the council have 17 chiefdoms across the six area councils with Ona of Abaji as the only 1st class chief.
“The Council’s operations are faced with myriads of challenges that inhibit its functioning, including inadequate financing of the institution, lack of existing legal/policy framework that will strengthen the financing of traditional institution in the FCT”, he said, appealing that the implementation of five percent of local government allocations as being done by some states for traditional rulers will go a long way towards addressing those challenges.
Members, including Hon. Jonathan Gwefwi and Hon. Inombek Abiante expressed displeasure with the handling of the indigenous people of the FCT, as Gwefwi condemned the approach adopted in resettling the people from their ancestral homes to strange locations, and the no alternative settlement areas provided in some cases.
