Ondo Assembly Set To Probe Finances Of LGs, Invites Administrators To Give Account

By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo State House of Assembly on Thursday summoned the administrators of the 18 local government areas of the state to account for the financial allocations received in the last six months.

Since the creation of Local Council Development Authority, (LCDA) was nullified by a High Court and the Supreme Court judgement which nullified caretaker committee for the local councils, the third tier of government in the state is being run by appointed administrators.

The caretaker committees set up by the state government shortly after the apex court decision were welcomed with criticisms by opposition political parties in the state.

The Deputy Speaker, Prince Abayomi Akinruntan, APC/ Ilaje Constituency 1, who moved the motion, asked the assembly to rise to its constitutional duties of checkmating the financial activities of the local government in the state.

Akinruntan said that there was need to ensure that funds being released and being spent were accounted for.

Hon. Japhet Toyin, APC/ Akoko-North East, who seconded the motion, said that transparency and accountability at the grassroots would address hunger being expressed in the country.

The 26 lawmakers of the House of the Assembly  unanimously through a voice vote agreed to the motion.

The Speaker of the House of Assembly,  Olamide Oladiji, therefore, directed  the Clerk of the assembly, Mr Benjamin Jayeola,  to write a letter to that effect to the administrators to come on or before Friday, Aug. 16, to appear before the assembly.