24th January, 2011
The Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned five Local Government Chairmen in the State following their refusal to appear before the House Committee on Public Accounts (Local Governments) to submit their accounts for the year 2009.
The Chairmen include: Pastor Kenny Okunmuyide of Agbado/Oke-Odo, Monsuru Ola Ashamu of Igando/Ikotun, Sabiu Omolaja Adelaja of Eredo, Adebayo Waidi Bello of Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Areas and Sola Adekunle of Alimosho Local Government Area.
The invitation by the House followed a letter of complaint by the State Auditor-General, M.M. Hassan that the five Chairmen did not turn up before the Committee to appraise their financial spending in 2009.
In the letter titled: Non Appearance At Public Accounts Committee (Local Governments) Sittings For The Consideration Of Year 2009 Auditor-General’s Report On The Accounts Of Local Governments/Local Council Development Areas, the Auditor-General said the Public Accounts Committee invited the 57 Local Councils and Local Council Development Areas for consideration between 26 October and 5 November, 2010.
The letter stated in part: “In compliance with Section 50, sub-sections 1-4 of the Lagos State Local Government Administration Law number 7 of 1999, the statutory reports of the account of the 20 Local Governments and the 37 Local Council Development Areas of Lagos State was submitted to the House as required by law.
“We write to draw your attention that some Local Councils failed to appear before the Public Accounts Committee to effect the reports of their Local Government Councils as provided by law.â€
The letter, after mentioning the five Chairmen, stated that “accountability in governance will be endangered if preventive measures are not taken against these defaulting Local Government Councils.
“The activities of this office and that of the PAC will also be endangered as subsequent reports that may be rendered would not have the desired impact on the off
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