Kunle Adelabu
-Say budget preparation, performance must be made public
Serving Local Government Chairmen and those warming up to take charge from them have been told to brace up for what to come in terms of financial management and accountability at their respective councils, going by the autonomy granted them, which, according to report gathered, has improved their allocations from the federation account, as a result of the Supreme Court judgment delivered in …, upon the case filed by the Attorney – General of the Federation.
The matter, again, came to the front burner due to the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest going on across the country, as residents have called for the full implementation of the Local Government autonomy to relieve the burden of development at the grassroots on the federal and state governments.
Residents of Ikorodu, while charging the six council bosses in the Division – Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, Chairman, Ikordu LG, Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju, Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, Builder Adeola Banjo, Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Builder Sesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo – Alogba, Chairman, Ijede LCDA and Hon. Wasiu Agoro, Chairman, Imota LCDA, emphasized that they must make their respective budget presentations which, according to the residents, are usually shrouded in secrecy, known to the public, as well as their performances.
The demands also serves as warning and what to expect, to the aspirants jostling to take over from the sitting council bosses, come 2025.
Mr Oke Godwin OlaOluwa (OGO), an economist and public commentator who raised the matter, gave the charge during a discussion on the ongoing Hunger protest, noting that the enormity of the pressure on the Presidency would reduce if the LG system exercises full autonomy.
He called for active citizens who must constantly put the council administrators on their toes and hold them accountable.
“The protest has reinforced the need to implement local government autonomy fully. The burden of this protest would have been relieved off the presidency. Those in charge of the local government administrations would have been the ones to face the citizens”, he said.
.“Yes, we must build a horde of active citizens who can hold the government to account without fear or favour”, he charged.
Elder Olu Omoniyi, a grassroots political leader and public analyst, also supported beaming the searchlight on the council administrators and those that have constituted themselves into godfathers.
“How l wish such a solo protest is extended to their anointed political godfathers who in spite of the excruciating pains of the people at grassroots, continue to dignify their (council chairmen) fiscal RASCALITY & MADNESS.
“The current constitutional recognition as regards the autonomous identity granted unto LGs, should be a panacea for rapid development. There shouldn’t be further passing of the BULK!
“The FG has done the rightful thing by periodically publishing grants made to the states and local governments through its relevant ministry or agency, but further monitoring should be encouraged to ensure that rightful things are done”, he said.
Mr Olawunmi Treasures Bayode, an educationist and an adept public commentator, charged the council chairmen to brace up for tough times in the hands of the people whom he said are ready to hold them accountable.
He also charged the council bosses to make their budgets public, henceforth .
“Ikorodu LG and Ikd West LCDA should be ready to make public their budgets and their budget performances for 2024, or we will meet in court.
“No more idiosyncratic behaviours. No more docility and unbridled sycophancy. Nigeria must work and it starts from the Local govt, LCDA or whatever they call it.
“We will drag the LG, especially mine. I will drag. In fact, I will personally lead a one – man protest. No more thieving of our money again. At least, no more excuse of State interference”, he threatened.
Comrade Semiudeen Akinlawon Fasasi, former Chairman, Non – Academic Staff Union (NASU), LASUSTECH, also expressing his support for responsible fiscal policy, called for transparency and accountability.
“I agree with this wholly! The Local Government in the next fiscal year would be made to be responsible and responsive. The UNACCOUNTABLE posture of that tier of Government, must stop.
“In addition, sir, from now on, there should be a public presentation of annual budget and quarterly performance evaluation of the fiscal activity of the local governments.
“Recurrent Expenditure should be defined, while Capital Expenditure should be projected and publicly presented and their execution monitored. I believe so strongly that it should not be business as usual. This will eventually serve as impetus to the people at the local levels paying rates and taxes. There are some overriding activities of the State Governments that would have to stop too”.
While supporting Bayode’s call for competent hands to be incharge of the local government administration against the puppets that are usually installed by godfathers, he added that incompetent administrators pose a serious setback to development at the grassroots.
“Very brilliant position provided PUBLIC MANDATE is not conferred on “SOPHISTICATED MORONS” at the detriment of BETTER HANDS in our LGs and LCDAs.
“Some of the problems at the grassroots emanated from the few that are entrusted with people’s mandate as Council Chief Executives who by every standard, don’t possess enabling cognate experience to manage resources.
“Our attention should be to set reasonable and workable selection standards for the potential leaders to emerge in the coming LG elections, particularly in lkorodu division”, he said.
Many others that spoke also supported that searchlights must be beamed on the council administrators, and that they must be held accountable in order for real development to be experienced at the grassroots.
