In a bid to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of funds, the Lagos House of Assembly has commenced an audit exercise for all 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.
Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts (Local), Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, said on Tuesday that the audit aimed to review the financial records and performance of the local councils.
The members of the House present include Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Adedamola Kasumu (Ikeja II), Hon. Olumoh Lukman (Ajeromi Ifelodun 1), Hon. Abdulkareem Jubril Ayodeji (Agege II), Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 1), Hon. Lawal Musbau (Apapa II), Hon. Ogunleye Gbolahan Adetokunbo (Ikorodu 1), Hon. Saani Ganiyu Okanlawon (Kosofe 1), Hon. Ogunkelu (Epe II), Hon. Engr. Rasheed Shabi (Lagos Mainland Constituency II), Hon. Tijani Suraju Olatunji (Ojo 1), Hon. Desmond Elliott (Surulere 1), Hon. Orekoya Abiodun (Somolu I), and Hon. Olumegbon-Lawal Omolara (Lagos Island 1).
Speaking on behalf of the speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa, Akinsanya said the consideration of the year 2021 by the Auditor General of Local Governments on the accounts was not meant to witch hunt any local government chairmen.
“The focus of this exercise is for the committee to simply perform its statutory function without any bias in order to have fruitful deliberation and save valuable time.administration as provided in the constitution.”
“It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the meeting of this House committee on public accounts (local) of the Lagos State House of Assembly. The essence of our gathering here today is to commence the consideration of the statutory auditor inspection report of the Auditor General for Local Governments on the account of 20 local government and 37 local council development areas in the state for the year ended December 31, 2021.”
“At this juncture, I will like to make it clear that this assignment was committed to the committee by the House, and the tasks must be thoroughly carried out in a manner that will meet the demands of the house—the house that is above the common standards of excellence.”
He added that the audit exercise is in compliance with Section 2, Subsection 35 of the Guideline on Administration Procedure for Local Government and Local Government Development Area 2021.
The audit process began with the examination of the accounts of five councils: Bariga LCDA, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Somolu Local Government, and Kosofe Local Government.
