By Richard Thomas
The Oyo State House of Assembly has said it will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the judicious use of public funds to appropriate sectors to enable the dividends of democracy spread across the nooks and crannies of the State.
The point was made by the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Abiodun Fadeyi while commenting on the report of the Ad-hoc Committee constituted in the 9th Assembly to investigate the account of stewardship of chairmen of Local Government Areas and Local Development Areas between May, 2018 and June 2019 respectively.
Hon. Fadeyi said the 10th Assembly in the state will intensify efforts that will pave ways for the development already put in place by the present administration under the Omituntun 2.0 initiatives to bring meaningful development that will promote healthy life styles of the downtrodden and the entire citizenry of the State.
Presenting the report, the lawmaker representing Iseyin / Itesiwaju State Contituency, and Vice Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Honourable Bamidele Adeola stated that the task given to the committee members was aimed at investigating the activities of the chairmen that were in the office between the year 2015 and 2018, stressing that the investigation was carried out with the fear of God.
According to him, the Ad-hoc Committee conducted the investigation between Tuesday, 25th February and Monday, 16th March, 2020 via on the spot assessment visit to various Local government areas and local Council Developments Areas with a view to inspecting some of the physical projects executed within the period under review”.
He stated further that the rationale behind the investigation was to assess the use of Local Government Funds on some of the projects executed and the economic impact of those projects on communities at the local government levels”.
Hon. Adeola, while stressing that the report would have been presented in the 9th Assembly explained that the delayed was due to some of the activities of the Assembly, adding that “The 10th Assembly’s pursuant to Order, X11 Rule 95 of the standing rules of the state House of Assembly prompted the House to delve into the records of report of the 9th Assembly.
He said the report of the Ad-hoc committee that investigated the Accounts of Stewardship and activities of the Chairmen of LGAs and LCDAs between 2018 and June, 2019 was not determined before the expiration of the 9th Assembly”
In the report, the Lawmaker confirmed that some of the projects inspected lacked economic value and had no impacts on the members of the communities.
Sighting example, he said a Television viewing centre which was renovated in Irawo-Ile, a remote area in Atisbo Local Government that worth N9.6 million were without chairs and other facilities for the council to generate Revenue.
He said the assessment of the project revealed that the community did not need such project.
The report stated further that some Local Government Areas and LCDAs spent from their stabilisation funds without seeking approval, adding that some of them used the fund between April and May 20th after March 9th governorship election in the State .
In the recommendations, the Ad-hoc Committee however urged the Assembly to ensure that the concerned LGAs and LCDAs that spent stabilisation funds without approval were found culpable and should be sanctioned accordingly by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
