The Lagos State House of Assembly has commenced an audit of the accounts of 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in a bid to strengthen transparency and accountability at the grassroots level.
The exercise was declared open on Wednesday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts (Local), Nureni Akinsanya, at the Lateef Jakande Hall, Assembly Complex, Ikeja.
Akinsanya said the audit was aimed at promoting prudent management of public funds across local councils and ensuring compliance with extant financial regulations. He explained that the exercise was being carried out pursuant to Section 52 of the Local Government Administration Law 2024 and Rule 116 of the Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
According to him, the audit would help identify financial lapses where they exist and guide council officials on appropriate procedures for administering public resources.
“This exercise is very important to check records and ascertain whether things are done correctly or wrongly. Where there are errors, corrections will be made, and officials will be properly guided on the right course of action,” Akinsanya said.
He expressed confidence that the exercise would achieve its objectives, particularly in correcting anomalies and ensuring that local government chairmen and other officials adhere strictly to due process.
READ ALSO: Lagos Assembly Confirms No Abuja Houses In Budget
The committee chairman also disclosed that the panel would critically examine the 2023 report of the Auditor-General for Local Governments, stressing that the review would be conducted objectively and without fear or favour.
Akinsanya listed officials expected to appear before the committee to include chairmen and vice chairmen, council leaders, members of executive committees, council managers, treasurers, and other key officials of the councils.
He added that the committee’s findings and recommendations would be presented to the House at the conclusion of the exercise for further legislative action.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Epe LGA, Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Ifelodun LCDA, Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, and Ojo LGA were the first councils to undergo the audit.