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Local Government Chairmen in Delta State have been charged to ensure judicious utilisation of funds entrusted to them for essential services at the grassroots.
The State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori gave the charge on Monday while flagging off a three-day Post Audit Retreat for stakeholders of the local government administration held at Government House Asaba.
The Governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon Prince Johnson Erijo, said the purpose of the retreat, put together by the Office of the Auditor General (Local Govt) was to enhance efficiency in local government administration.
He added that the retreat would afford the participants the opportunity to discuss financial administration and audit practice as they concerned the local governments to be able to adopt best practices in the running of their Councils.
Governor Oborevwori stated that there was an urgent need for Council administrators to execute projects that would advance the dividends of democracy at the grassroots, emphasizing that in doing so they must prioritize the needs of the people, be guided by fiscal discipline, transparency, probity and accountability.
The Governor stressed that the autonomy granted the Local Governments must not be abused and reminded the Council authorities that they were accountable to the people and should have zero tolerance for corruption.
Earlier, the Auditor General (Local Govt), Mr Ikenna Ukpaka said the theme of the retreat “Effective Utilisation of Local Government Funds”, was in line with the Governor’s MORE agenda as it bordered on rzero tolerance for corruption.
The Auditor General said the interactive session was designed to add value to audit service delivery aimed at enhancing the judicious utilisation of public funds..
In a lecture, the immediate past Chairman, Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts, Hon Anthony Elekeokuri, dwelt extensively on the functions of the Committee and reminded Council Chairmen of the need to uphold due process and accountability in their budgets, financial transactions and daily management of the Councils.
The Resident Anti corruption Commissioner, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), in charge of Delta, Mr Edet Ufot, spoke on the functions of the Commission and relevant sections of the law that empowered it to prosecute offenders.
He reminded Council authorities and other Nigerians to guard against acts that could make them run foul of the enabling law of the Commission and indeed other laws prohibiting financial impropriety in the country.
Some of the participants at the retreat described it as timely and capable of promoting due process and accountability at the third tier of government.
The Auditor General Mr Ukpaka also used the forum to lecture participants on the procedures for purchases and award of contracts at the Local Government level.
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