A three-day 2024 post audit retreat for stakeholders of the local government administration in the state has ended in the three senatorial districts of the state with a charge on local government chairmen to ensure judicious utilisation of funds under their control.
The programme was put together by the Office of the Auditor General (Local Government), Mr Ikenna Ukpaka.
Declaring the programme open in the three venues at Asaba for Delta North, Ughelli for Delta Central and Oleh for Delta South, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said the goal of the forum put together by the office of the Auditor General for Local Governments was to enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency in local government operations.
Governor Oborevwori, represented by the Chief of Staff Government House, Hon Johnson Erijo said there was urgent need for local government chairmen to execute projects that would advance dividends of democracy at the grassroots. He added that the retreat afforded participants opportunity to discuss and address matters of financial administration and audit law in the state as it related to the local governments.
Speaking at the three venues, the Auditor-General (Local Government) Mr Ikenna Ukpaka said the theme of the retreat ‘Effective utilisation of local government funds’ will focus on the governor’s MORE agenda in relation to zero tolerance for corruption.
He charged the Local Government council chairmen to uphold due process and observe proper procedure for purchases and award of contracts in projects’ execution, pointing out that the interactive session added value to service delivery aimed at enhancing judicious utilisation of public resources.
Ukpaka also advised the chairmen to ensure that under the present financial autonomy, five percent Local Government Traditional Rulers councils fund, one percent training Fund, Salaries of Teaching and Non- Staff of the 25 Local Education Authorities, Local Government Councils and Local Education Authorities Staffs Pensions deductions are treated as first charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Local Government in compliance with extant rules and Laws setting up the entities. In a lecture, the immediate past Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon Anthony Elekeokuri, spoke extensively on the functions of the public accounts and reminded local government chairmen of the need to uphold due process and accountability in its budgets, financial transactions and daily management of the councils.
The Resident Commissioner, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in charge of Delta, Mr Edet Ufot who spoke on the functions of the commission, also exposed relevant sections of the law that empowered it to prosecute offenders.
