LG Autonomy Begins November, EFCC To Track Funds And Monitor Expenditure

LG Autonomy Begins November, EFCC To Track Funds And Monitor Expenditure

In the absence of any last-minute resistance from state governors, direct payment of statutory allocations to Local Government Areas will kick in by November 2024.

The National President, National Union of Local Government Employees, Hakeem Ambali, disclosed the latest information during an exclusive interview with one of our correspondents on Sunday.

This was as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission assured of its commitment to diligently monitoring and tracking expenditures of the 774 LG chairmen from the revenue disbursement allocated from the Federal Government every month.

The latest development marks a significant turning point in the implementation of LG autonomy as mandated by the Supreme Court and ahead of the October 31st deadline set for states to conduct LG elections.

Last Tuesday, findings by The PUNCH showed that no fewer than 164 LGS in eight states were yet to conduct elections and may have their federal allocations seized by the Federal Government, in line with the court ruling.

But giving the latest update on Sunday, the NULGE Chairman stated that the issue has been resolved, and payment is now scheduled to commence at the November Federal Accounts Allocation Committee distribution.

Ambali said, “On the issue of the allocation, we want to be very careful and ensure that everything is well put into place so that there won’t be any form of issues.

“We are aware that governors are also trying to have their way. See what is going on in Abia state for instance.

“So, we don’t want any loophole at all. We believe that by November, the whole thing will come into full effect.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has said the anti-graft agency would monitor the budget performance of all the local governments in the country.

Olukoyede, in an interview published in the commission’s magazine, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent on Sunday, stated that the EFCC would monitor the budget performances of all the local governments in the country.

He lamented the overbearing influence of state governments on the resources of the local governments.

The EFCC boss said the commission had expanded its presence and coverage across the country.

He vowed that any local government official who misappropriated funds would be apprehended and prosecuted.

Olukoyede said, “The wisdom of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in initiating the action cannot be faulted.

“Local government operations have largely been crippled in the country due to the overbearing influence of state governments.

“The charges recently filed by the commission against the former governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, have to do with an alleged theft of billions of local government funds.

“So, local governments having direct access to their funds may improve developmental activities at the third tier of government and reduce rural poverty.

“We are fully prepared to ensure accountability in the use of local government funds. One of the reasons that informed the decision to establish additional zonal directorates by the commission is the need to improve the commission’s presence and coverage of the country.

“We’ll work closely with stakeholders in tracking the budget performance of the councils, to ensure that funds appropriated are used for specified purposes and those who violate the law will be brought to justice.”