Ridding Bauchi State local councils of corruption

‘’They drive to the council headquarters in their jeeps from the state capitals or Federal Capital Territory; pay salaries and share other monies and disappear until it is time to share the next subvention. “Such disconnection between the government of the people and the grassroots is happening at a time that huge volumes of public […]

‘’They drive to the council headquarters in their jeeps from the state capitals or Federal Capital Territory; pay salaries and share other monies and disappear until it is time to share the next subvention.

“Such disconnection between the government of the people and the grassroots is happening at a time that huge volumes of public funds are allocated to local government councils’’.

Mrs Farida Waziri, Chairman of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), made the remark in August in Abuja while addressing a national workshop on accountability and transparency for local government officials. It was organised by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria.

Justice Emmanuel Ayoola (Rtd), Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other related Offences Commission (ICPC), also told the workshop he was worried by alleged wanton embezzlement of public funds by council officials.

“Very soon, the ICPC will inaugurate the Local Government Integrity Initiative, which will support and monitor mechanisms by which the local governments will be seen to be more prudent in the use of resources accruing to them,” he said.

According to Ayoola, the ICPC is also thinking seriously on how to enlist the support of National Youth Service Corps members and other non-governmental organisations to investigate the activities of local government councils in the country.

Mr Daniel Asekhame, Chairman, Owan West Local Government of Edo State, called for the replacement of council chairmen with administrators nationwide.

According to Asekhame, the local government council administration, as currently constituted, does not give room for the needed development in the rural areas.

“The legislative arms of the councils pose the biggest challenge to local government administration in the country today.

“The appointment of local administrator in the local setting without councilors and supervisory councilors would be the panacea to the problems faced by local government chairmen in the country.

“Let the state government gazette what the administrator is supposed to do. This should be spelt out and funds released accordingly for its execution,’’  Asekhame suggested.

He alleged that there was no harmony between council executives and the legislators, “all you see is blackmail”.

According to him, this has brought a lot of underdevelopment and problems to the councils.

“Today everybody wants direct money from the local government coffers. They want financial gratification from the council.

“It is sad that as soon as you assume office, some foot soldiers are sent after you.

“With these problems, it will be difficult for the chairmen to deliver on their promises to the people,” Asekhame added.

Statistics released from the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation show that ‘’a whopping N3.313 trillion was allocated to the 774 local councils in the country from June 1999 to June 2007’’.

Observers, however, say there is no commensurate development at the grassroots to show for the huge amount.

This, perhaps, underscores the decision of the Bauchi State House of Assembly to probe the financial expenditure and contracts awarded by the 20 local government councils in the state.

The probe is coming against the backdrop of mounting public outcry over alleged large-scale misappropriation of public funds meant for the development of the rural areas.

Aside from inaugurating three ad hoc committees to investigate all capital projects executed by the councils between May 2007 and May 2009, the house also directed the state government to stop funding capital projects in all the 20 local government areas of the state.

Similarly, the 31-member house also directed the State Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, to release only funds meant for the payment of salaries and other miscellaneous services to the councils.

Alhaji Daiyabu Ciroma, the Majority Leader of the House, said recently, while raising a motion under matters of urgent importance, that the action was necessary to enable the council chairmen account for the public funds entrusted to them.

“As investigation is in progress, it is desirable to stop releasing funds for capital projects to the councils.

 “This will allow the committees to carry out their assignments effectively,” Ciroma added.

Alhaji Abubakar Faggo, Chairman of the Public Account Committee of the House, said a probe of council funds was imperative in view of the growing public outcry over the manner in which projects were being executed by the councils.

Alhaji Babayo Kesa, Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Information, also said:  ‘’it is high time to check reckless mismanagement of public funds meant for the development of the rural areas by a handful of corrupt council administrators’’.

Kesa applauded the assembly for its effort at sanitising the local government system in the state, saying that the action would ensure speedy completion of contracts awarded by the councils.

“It is disheartening on the part of the government to see that most of the projects, worth over N20 billion, were abandoned after a 50 or 70 per cent down payment to the contractors.

“We are calling on all contractors to complete their projects within one month.

 “The House is making adequate arrangements to ensure payment of the outstanding money to contractors who completed their jobs according to contract specification.

 ‘’The House will take appropriate action against erring contractors,” he said.

According to Kesa, these measures are designed to enhance the rapid development of rural communities.

The determined effort of the State Assembly to probe the councils has a “collaborator” in the state governor, Malam Isa Yuguda.

Yuguda recently suspended a local government chairman and his vice for ‘’gross misconduct and fraudulent activities’’.

He said the suspension was in exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Local Government Establishment and Administration amended law of 2004.

“The suspension follows cases of misconduct, fraudulent activities and habitual absenteeism from office established against the council officials,’’ Yuguda said.

Adamu is of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)