The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr Bamidele Oloyelogun, has said that the state legislature’s scrutiny of the accounts of local governments was to ensure good governance.
Oloyelogun stated this at the opening of a public hearing of the accounts of the 18 local governments in the state in Akure on Tuesday.
The speaker said that the objective of the exercise was to ensure transparency and accountability in public finances.
He added that the exercise was in the overall interest of the development of the state, which was the objective of the current administration.
The speaker explained that the exercise would be strictly carried out and that the recommendations would be implemented through necessary follow up mechanisms.
He also said that the lawmakers were working assiduously to reposition the Auditor-General’s Office for Local Government in the state in order for effective service delivery.
Oloyelogun applauded the committee members for their commitment and dedication to duty, saying that they had performed excellently over the years.
Also, Mr Festus Adefiranye, Chairman, Public Account Committee, state House of Assembly, said that the hearing was necessary in order to carve a niche in entrenching financial discipline
in the state.
He explained that financial discipline was especially needed at the local government where the level of compliance to extant financial laws was abysmally low.
Adefiranye added that the hearing was not by accident, but in the fulfilment of Section 125 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).
He explained that the hearing was not designed to witch-hunt or serve as vendetta to any party, but simply to ensure that public trust in the government financial dealings and businesses were guaranteed.
The chairman commended the Auditor-General for local governments and the heads of local governments administration for the remarkable improvement in the conduct of government business.
Adefiranye also commended the reasonable reduction in the level of infractions recorded from 2020 to 2021, which was under consideration.
He warned that necessary sanctions would be mete out for any act viewed as deliberately done to stand as a cog in the wheel of progress of the committee.
The chairman urged members of the committee to be time-conscious and speedily conclude its assignment.
Similarly, Mr Francis Adaramola, the Auditor General for Local Governments in the state, said that the financial management process was key to effective service delivery.
Adaramola added that the process was in the best interest of the state, and thanked the committee for its support, describing their relationship as cordial.
Veracity News reports that the public hearing of the accounts of the 18 local governments in the state would last for three days.
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