Ogun Assembly directs local councils’ leadership to enforce effective documentation of assets

The Ogun State House of Assembly, has directed the leadership of the 20 Local Government Councils in the state to enforce effective documentation of all their assets and financial records to promote transparency and accountability.

The House Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption, chaired by Damilare Bello, issued the directive on Wednesday, in continuation of the consideration of the 2024 report of the Auditor-General for Local Governments at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The Chairman, alongside Babatunde Tella, Folawewo Salami, Dickson Awolaja, Adegoke Adeyanju, Oluseun Adesanya, Ayodele Wasiu, Lukmon Atobatele Lukmon, Bisi Oyedele, Wahab Haruna and Waliu Owode, considered the reports of five local government councils, including Ewekoro, Ijebu North, Ijebu East and Ifo Local Government Councils.

Bello stressed the need to ensure prompt record keeping of all the activities of the Councils to strengthen accountability, asset management and effective oversight.

He also charged them to provide comprehensive records of their landed properties, recover unauthorised local government number plates and ensure proper maintenance of all records relating to government assets.

In their remarks, the lawmakers expressed concern that poor filing of official records and financial documents could hinder the Committee’s ability to effectively review the Councils’ activities and conduct thorough oversight.

The House Committee therefore directed the affected councils to represent updated records at a later date, with adequate explanations and complete documentation.