As part of its efforts to ensure accountability and combat corruption at the local government level, following the financial autonomy granted to the third tier of government in the country by the Supreme Court, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it has swung into action to track funds allocated to the 774 LGAs in the country.
The anti-graft agency boss, Ola Olukoyede made the revelation when he received, in audience, a group of the National Christian Youths Professionals in his office, in Abuja the nation’s capital.
The agency, the Chairman of the commission said has started monitoring funds allocated to LGAs, through a special unit, the Fraud Risk Assessment and Control department.
The group had paid the EFCC chairman boss, the visit, to encourage and applaud the agency for its success in leading the agency to combating graft in the country.
Recall that the Supreme Court, in a 2024 landmark judgment gave the 774 LGAs financial autonomy, to the extent that they have powers to manage their funds free from the control from state government.
Not a few Nigerians had applauded the judgment, they however demanded that the LGAs be monitored to ensure that funds allocated to them are not stolen or mismanaged by council Chairmen.
According to Olukoyede, the EFCC ensure that LGA funds are sued for what they are meant for, and not diverted or stolen by the council management.
On their part, the NCYP said the LGAs are closer to the people at the grassroots, and that the funds should be managed so that their impact an be felt by their people.
Olukoyede: “We have a department called Fraud Risk Assessment and Control that is closely monitoring and tracking payments, contracts, and other releases to ensure that funds are expended on what they are meant for.”
He said corruption has nothing to do with religion, race or creed, urging Nigerians to be people of integrity.
“Doing the right thing has nothing to do with whether you are a Christian or a Muslim. Let’s continue to operate as people of integrity irrespective of our faith,” he said.
Isaac Abrak, the NCYP leader said, “We come from the grassroots, and we understand the realities in our local government areas. We appreciate the President for granting local government autonomy.
“If local governments can achieve even 40% of their responsibilities, we will see significant progress. That’s why we are here—to call for proper monitoring of resource management and to offer our partnership to ensure that funds meant for the grassroots are effectively utilized.”
The magazine however reported that the 774 LGAs in the country have yet to open Accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, as directed by the Supreme Court in its July 2024 landmark judgment, as part of the efforts to ensure their financial autonomy.
The Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, has accused state governments of frustrating this key aspect of the apex court judgment.
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