The Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts has commenced the review of the Auditor-General’s report on the financial records of the state’s 25 local government councils for the year 2024.
Declaring the session open before it moved into a closed-door review, Committee Chairman, Hon. James Augoye, said the exercise was in strict compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Welcoming local government chairmen and senior officials from the Delta Central Senatorial District, Hon. Augoye emphasized that the constitutional mandate of the legislature is to ensure that the financial records of local councils align with established legal and accounting standards.
Accompanied by committee members, including Hon. Spencer Owhofa, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, and Hon. Frank Esenwa, the Okpe Constituency lawmaker urged participants to approach the review with seriousness.
He stressed that the process was not designed to witch-hunt individuals or institutions but to strengthen accountability.
Hon. Augoye assured council chairmen that the Committee would be guided strictly by the law in its scrutiny of council accounts.
He reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to transparency and accountability, which he described as critical to deepening good governance at the grassroots.
In their separate remarks, the Auditor-General for Local Governments, Mr. Ikenna Ukpaka, and the Chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Council, Hon. Lucky Avweromre, speaking on behalf of other chairmen, welcomed the legislative oversight.
They described the review as timely and necessary to promote financial discipline in local government administration, pledging full cooperation with the Committee to ensure a successful exercise.
Also present were the State Chairman of ALGON and Chairman of Okpe Local Government Council, Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa, alongside his counterparts from Ethiope East, Ethiope West, Udu, Uvwie, Sapele, Ughelli South, and Ughelli North.
The review sessions are ongoing.
