Nasarawa Assembly to oversee LG spending for accountability, grassroots development
….Meets with 13 Council Chairmen
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs convened a meeting with the 13 Local Government Area Chairmen today, Monday, to discuss key issues including accountability, prudent resource management, and fulfilment of campaign promises.
During the session, the House of Assembly vowed to monitor local government funds, emphasizing that it would prevent their misappropriation, however disguised.
While hosting the LG Chairmen at the Assembly complex in Lafia, the State capital, on Monday, Hon. Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, made the House’s position known.
It would be recalled that following their apology last week for failing to honor the House invitation, the Local Government Chairmen appeared before the Assembly’s committee on Local Government where issues of funds dominated discussion.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, informed the Chairmen that the State House of Assembly has established facts indicating that they have six billion naira within their coffers, out of which 2.4 billion naira is allocated for salary, pension, and other related matters, and the House will not stand idly by and allow the funds to be embezzled.
He stressed that the meeting’s purpose is not to engage in a witch hunt, but rather to fulfill the House’s constitutional obligations, ensuring accuracy in records and promoting grassroots development within the State.
“The masses should feel the impact of government at the local levels, you must fulfill your campaign promises to the people” He said.
In his response, the State Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria ALGON, Hon. Safiyanu Isa Andaha noted that the Chairmen have collectively agreed to administer local government finances responsibly.
“We have resolved to collectively work together and in synergy with the House, we will never disrespect this House, we are all aware that is the responsibility of the House to overseen the affairs of the LGAs both our activities and fund spending.
On the issue of local government autonomy, Hon. Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, Chairman of the House Committee on LG, announced that LGAs in the State have gained financial independence.
“They now have autonomy. Their money comes to them. They decide what should be done. No body interfere. We are only performing our constitutional duties of monitoring”
The ALGON Chairman also responded to this, saying, “we are in charge. We decide what should be done. And with today’s parley, the House of Assembly Committee on Local Government will now proceed on oversight function to the Local Governments as provided in Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution as amended”.
He assured of effective collaboration and cooperation with the House as well as their commitment to deliver to the people and called for support, understanding and prayers to enable them succeed.
