House Pledges Better Funding For FCT Traditional Institution

Oluwakemi Kindness

The House of Representatives has assured traditional rulers in the Federal Capital Territory of it support for better funding of the traditional institution.

The House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area Councils and Ancillary Matters gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja during an interactive meeting with members of the panel and the traditional council of the FCT.

The Committee chaired by Representative, Fredrick Agbedi, also assured the traditional rulers that it will look into the possibility of giving a legislative backing to the five percent deduction from Area Councils funds for the traditional institutions.

This is inclusive of upgrading the trade stools and creation of more chiefdoms for effective functions.

Agbedi said “We recognize 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 percent from the funds designated for the Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory, to support traditional institutions. However, the disbursement and allocation of funds within the FCT are governed by provisions of statutory budgetary framework that prioritize 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 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 to 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 to approach adopted in resettling the people from their ancestral homes to strange locations, and some times no alternative settlement areas are provided.