Stakeholders from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), under the aegis of the FCT Gbagyi Youth Forum, have called for strategic federal intervention to sustain grassroots development and service delivery across rural communities.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Abuja, the group commended ongoing efforts by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu toward national development while highlighting pressing financial challenges confronting Area Councils in the territory.
Central to their appeal is the issue of outstanding arrears owed to Local Education Authority (LEA) teachers, estimated at ₦59 billion and dating back to 2011.
The Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Musa Jezhi Nyanya, acknowledged the importance of settling the obligations but noted that the financial burden of the legacy debt could significantly affect the capacity of current council administrations to deliver essential services.
“We fully support the settlement of teachers’ entitlements, as they remain vital to the future of our communities. However, we respectfully appeal for a funding approach that protects ongoing development efforts at the grassroots,” he said.
According to the group, Area Councils play a critical role in providing basic infrastructure and services, particularly in rural communities. These include road maintenance, access to potable water, primary healthcare delivery, and support for basic education.
They stressed that careful balancing of financial obligations is necessary to ensure that while past commitments are honoured, current developmental priorities are not disrupted.
The stakeholders also highlighted the importance of the statutory 10 per cent share of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) allocated to Area Councils, describing it as a key resource for local development. They expressed optimism that improved transparency and timely remittance of these funds would further enhance service delivery at the community level.
The group emphasised the broader economic and social role of Area Councils, particularly in supporting local contractors and small-scale enterprises that provide employment opportunities for youths.
They observed that sustained investment in grassroots projects could help strengthen economic stability, promote social inclusion, and complement ongoing federal initiatives in security and rural development.
“We propose the consideration of a special intervention mechanism to address the teacher arrears, allowing councils to continue focusing on infrastructure and essential services,” they said.
They also suggested the convening of a collaborative forum involving the Presidency, the FCT Administration, and Area Council representatives to develop long-term solutions that would enhance fiscal sustainability and prevent similar challenges in the future.
Reaffirming their confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, the group expressed hope that their appeal would receive prompt attention.
“Our communities remain committed to supporting government efforts at all levels. With timely intervention and continued collaboration, we are confident that the Area Councils can be further strengthened to deliver meaningful development to the people,” the statement read.
Nyanya stressed that continued neglect of grassroots governance could erode public trust in democratic institutions.
The call comes amid ongoing tensions over unpaid teachers’ salaries in the FCT, with pressure mounting on the federal government.