Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has hailed the Supreme Court ruling which granted financial autonomy to local governments.
He however expressed concerns over its effective implementation and the ability of Local Governments to handle their financial responsibilities.
Fielding questions from journalists on Tuesday in Uyo, Governor Eno said prior to the supreme Court ruling last Thursday, his administration never touched the allocation of the local governments councils.
He noted that the ruling would lessen the burden of the state and expressed hope that the council chairmen would be able to implement it fully by paying salaries and other emoluments promptly to teachers, health workers and other Local Government workers.
According to the governor, "The Supreme Court has made pronouncements. That's the final court of the land, but for us in Akwa Ibom, honestly I don't see us having any issues. For me, this is a welcome development because I know how much we, as a state, support the local governments.
"Since I assumed office, I've not touched any funds allocated to the local governments. The only challenge I envisage now, which we have to sit down and find a way around is how the local government workers would be paid promptly? How will primary school teachers be paid promptly? How do we clear the backlog that we have? I pray that we find a way around this.
"Our ARISE Agenda is also centered around developing the local government areas, so with this judgement, I feel relieved but my concern is how they would bear the brunt of the autonomy."
