The Lagos State House of Assembly, through its House Committee on Public Accounts (Local), has commenced consideration of the 2024 Statutory Audit Inspection Report of the Auditor-General for Local Governments on the accounts of the State’s 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
The two-week exercise, which commenced with the appearance of officials from Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Badagry, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ikeja, Oriade and Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Councils, is aimed at scrutinising the financial activities of the councils for the year ended December 31, 2024, with a view to promoting accountability, transparency and prudent management of public funds.
Speaking at the commencement of the exercise, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Prince Nureni Akinsanya, said the exercise was part of the Committee’s statutory responsibilities to scrutinise the Auditor-General’s report and ensure that public funds entrusted to the councils were properly accounted for.
Akinsanya stated that the chairmen of the LGAs and LCDAs, alongside relevant officials, would be required to respond to outstanding issues raised in the audit report and provide the Committee with the necessary documentary evidence to support their submissions.
He stressed that the exercise was not intended to witch-hunt anyone, but rather to enable the Committee to discharge its statutory responsibilities objectively, transparently and without bias.
The Chairman explained that the Committee would particularly ascertain whether revenues accruing to the councils during the period under review were judiciously utilised and properly accounted for, while expenditures would also be subjected to thorough scrutiny.
He added that the findings and recommendations of the Committee would subsequently be presented before the House for consideration and appropriate action.
The Chairman therefore urged the council officials to cooperate fully with the Committee and ensure the prompt provision of requested documents, records and explanations throughout the exercise.
Members of the Committee present at the commencement of the exercise included Hon. Suraju Tijani, Hon. Bonu Solomon, Hon. Ganiyu Sanni, Hon. Ogundipe Stephen and Hon. Femi Saheed.
Other Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas are scheduled to appear before the Committee for consideration of their respective audit reports as the exercise continues.
