OYO: Makinde sets up 7-man committee to probe LG accounts

A 7-man committee has been constituted by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to probe the accounts of Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Area (LCDAs) in the state.

According to Governor Makinde who gave the committee six weeks to submit its report on its findings from January, 2018 to May 2019, the move became necessary due to scarcity of funds, and the need to define means of fund activities for government.

Governor Makinde who spoke in Ibadan on Monday, said the probe is not in any way going after the past administration, rather, it is to improve the standard of living of the people at the grass root.

Makinde, while speaking said, “Let me reassure you that this government is not in any way going after the past administration. We are only setting the stage for our government to take off and deliver the dividends of democracy to the entire citizenry. In fact, I must state that the committee we are inaugurating today is in pursuant to the Public property and Funds (Investigation and Recovery) Panel Law, Cap 138,Vol.4 of the Oyo state Law, 2,000.

“Section 3 of the Law states thus: “Whenever it shall appear to the Government of the State that any person or body of persons in the custody of any property belonging to the government or any company in which the State Government has any interest however arising or is accountable to the government for any contract entered into or purported to have been entered into between him and the government or monies which he may have collected on behalf of or for the purposes of the government, the Governor may set up a panel to investigate or ascertain the identity and extent of such properties or fund and make order for recovery of such property or fund.”

Read also: Lawan hints at review of Public Procurement Act, says it breeds corruption

“The Seven-Man Committee is expected to investigate any dealing with the funds of Local Government Councils and Local Council and Development Areas and other matters as they affect the Local Governments and retrieve all monies traceable to any individual and impound any equipment traceable to any individual.

“Let me at this juncture admonish the members of the Committee to carry out this task efficiently and effectively. The task ahead is not that of the Governor but that given to them by the entire citizens of Oyo State. They are on this committee to serve the people of the state. The Local Government is the government at the grassroots level and they are the closest to the people. It is therefore important to take into consideration all matters that affect our people as we have promised them a sound service agenda.

“Let me promise straightaway our unqualified support in this assignment as we are determined to get to the roots of any form of mismanagement that the councils have been subjected to these past years. On this note, I appreciate all members of the Committee for 2accepting to serve in this capacity. I wish you all success in this endeavor.”

The 7-man committee set up to look into the account of Local Government Areas (LGA) and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) is led by Justice Popoola (rtd) and has other members like; Dr Remi Ayodele, Mr Adeniyi Samuel Ayanwale, N.A Abiola (Esq), Mr Adewola Illiasu, ACP Sunday Oke and Mrs Olubunmi Oni.

 

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now