The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has warned that it will take action against local government officials who fail to implement the financial autonomy granted to them by the Supreme Court.
The Chairman of ICPC, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, stated this in Jos on Thursday during a capacity-building workshop on the Local Government Accountability Framework for LGAs in Nigeria, organised by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by International IDEA.
Aliyu emphasised that the financial autonomy granted to local governments is a landmark decision that must be implemented and that the ICPC will ensure that officials who fail to do so are held accountable.
“The judgment is final. Anybody who is aggrieved can only appeal to God Almighty. However, we thought that it is important that once these funds start coming to you, you should be able to utilise them effectively and to ensure that the idea behind the federal government initiating that action is achieved,” Aliyu said.
The ICPC chairman also stressed that the implementation of financial autonomy will help local governments to plan and budget effectively, adding that “it is crucial for development to reach the grassroots.”
He maintained, “You know, some people look at the local government as the cash cow, where everybody goes and collects. That has to change because the federal government is not fighting for you to get your money directly, and then you go home and make use of it anyhow you like. That is not the purpose.
“So it is part of the idea of these collaborative agencies to come and at least address you, teach you, lecture you on how you’re going to manage your funds. We’re not going to do that again, but you must show accessibility.
“All the agencies that I know here, including the Code of Conduct Bureau, Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Bureau of Public Procurement, and the Federal Ministry of Justice, have a role to play.
“In time, they will address you on that but for now, with the ICPC as we download the carrot, and of course, if at the end of the day, we lecture you and tell you what you need to
do and take you through the process and you think it is not your job, that you prefer to go by the old fashion, and then we will come after you. My brothers and sisters, everybody is united on this.
“So it is important that we take whatever thing we do here very seriously. When you go home, tell your colleagues, your neighbours that look, accountability and transparency are the way to go,” the ICPC chairman, who was represented by the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Clifford Oparaodo, added.
Emmanuel Uche, representing the European Union, RoLAC, and International IDEA, also spoke at the event, emphasising the importance of transparency and accountability in public governance.
“The European Union believes that countries get their governance correctly, and that’s why they are supporting this process,” Uche said.
“Is it right that foreigners will be the ones to insist that there should be transparency and accountability in public governance for the good of our people?” He queried the gathering.
Our Correspondent reports that the workshop was attended by various local government officials, federal government agencies, and other stakeholders, and is aimed at guiding how to implement the financial autonomy and ensure accountability in local government administration.
