I’ve paid money meant for LGAs, no reason for non-devt, says Oyebanji

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Thursday said his administration had released all the money accruable to the 16 local government areas from the Federation Account since assuming office about seven months ago.

Oyebanji stated this while receiving the Auditor-General for Local Government, Dr Iyadunni Oke, noting that local government administrators no longer had reasons not to develop their areas.

He added that his administration had given necessary approval for people-oriented projects expected to be carried out by the local government councils which would also be monitored regularly by a team from his office in order to ensure compliance.

The governor said, “I decided to invite the ALGON chairman here so that he will listen to my own view on this matter. Since we came to office and now, we have released all the money meant for local governments to them and I know that all the local governments have been given approval for one project or the other.

“Just two weeks ago, we set up a monitoring team from my office to inspect the status of all these projects. I also hope with respect to both the capital expenditure and the recurrent, the audit department are also doing their job because local government is so critical to service delivery, they are the nearest to the people.”

Oyebanji commended the crop of quality auditors being paraded at both state and local government levels for their commitment and dexterity at delivering quality service which had led to efficient management of the state’s resources and exposure of shady deals.

“I will like to place on record that accountability is very key to service delivery, the six pillars are just aspirations and if care is not taken they will remain in that realm, if the structure to implement are not accountable because the currency is money, the lubricant is money but the vehicles are individuals that will spend this money must be accountable.

“And that is why your office is so critical to the delivery and implementation of the six pillars development agenda.

“I must say this openly that the quality of Auditors we have at the state and the local government levels are top notch. I can vouch for their integrity.”

Earlier, the State Auditor-General for local government, Oke, promised to carry out the responsibility of that position to bring improvement to the state’s accounts, as well as ensure continued commitment of rank and file members of her office.