The Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts has called on local government councils across the state to strictly comply with financial management laws that promote transparency and accountability.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. James Augoye, gave the charge during the ongoing review of the Auditor General (Local Government) report on the accounts of the 25 local government councils for the 2024 fiscal year.
Addressing the session before it went into a closed-door meeting with council chairmen from Delta South Senatorial District, Augoye explained that the review exercise was in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as altered).
He stressed that it remains the constitutional duty of the legislature to ensure that council financial records meet established legal standards.
The lawmaker, who represents Okpe Constituency and is a former Commissioner for Works, clarified that the exercise was not intended as a witch-hunt but rather as a routine oversight function designed to strengthen good governance.
He assured the council chairmen that the committee would strictly adhere to relevant laws and procedures in scrutinizing the accounts.
In their separate remarks, the Auditor General (Local Government), Mr. Ikenna Ukpaka, and the Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Council, Hon. Dagidi Andaye, commended the committee for diligently carrying out its constitutional mandate.
They described the review as a vital step toward entrenching financial discipline in local government administration and pledged stakeholders’ cooperation to ensure its success.
Also in attendance were committee members Hon. Matthew Omonade, Hon. Spencer Owhofa, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, and Hon. Frank Esenwa, alongside chairmen of Bomadi, Burutu, Isoko South, Isoko North, Patani, Warri North, and Warri South West local government councils.
