We’ll maintain transparency, accountability in governance — Commissioner

Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat has assured that the present administration would continue to be transparent and accountable to the citizens, having reposed trust in the government.

Hon. Hamzat gave the assurance during the October 2022 edition of the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting at the Conference Hall, Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta, saying the government would continue to judiciously apply the resources of the State, for socio-economic development and improved livelihood of the people.

The Commissioner pointed out that the monthly meeting had given the State Government opportunities to get feedback from people at the grassroots, and helped in achieving effective planning and provision for the needs of the citizens.

He said, “nothing will hinder the hosting of our monthly JAAC meeting, because it has brought improvement to government activities in the discharge of its responsibilities to the people, especially those at the grassroots.”

Contributing, his counterpart in Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, represented by a Permanent Secretary/Accountant-General of the State Treasury Board, Mr. Babatunde Aregbesola, while presenting the financial breakdown of Federal allocation to all 20 Local Government Areas and other stakeholders for the month, said a total of N7,079,501,139.21 was received, which include, shares of Statutory Allocation, Value Added Tax (VAT), Excess Crude Proceed and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL).

Okubadejo explained that a sum of N296,757,543.01 would be required to pay the first-line charges; Primary School Teachers’ Salary, Local Government Staffs Salary, Pensions, Traditional Councils, Payment of Pay As You Earn (PAYE)  Areas, Statutory Payment to Local Government Service Commission, Release to Local Government and other charges, excluding PAYE and five percent Bond on Pension which amount to N314,852,150.90, while N97,595,747.10 remains as gross surplus for the month.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary,  Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun said the Ministry was committed to the implementation of its policy thrust, in line with the mandate of the present government with the utmost sense of responsibility.

Fagbohun urged Chairmen of Local Governments to work hand-in-hand with the traditional rulers and other stakeholders in their localities on issues that would engender development, as  Local Government administration and protection of traditional institutions remained paramount.

Responding, the Obiri of Ayepe, Oba Adebisi Okubanjo, who represented the  Ijebu Traditional Councils commended the present administration for the sustenance of the JAAC meeting, saying it had given room for every stakeholder to know and understand what each Local Governments receive.