Amid financial autonomy legally binding local government administration, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has warned council Chairmen against any attempt to misappropriation and or, divert council resources.
Upon the stem warning, Governor Yusuf vowed to prosecute any local government Chairman found wanting over financial irregularities through contracts or projects execution in the council.
Yusuf issued the caution on Saturday while unveiling a three day seminar on financial regulations and anti-corruption system in local government organised by the State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.
Yusuf, represented by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Hon. Taju Mohammad Lookman, wanted the council Chairmen to be mindful of financial regulations and other guidelines reminded that council Chairmen would be held responsible for corrupt practices in their domain.
Although, the governor said the Chairmen are legally empowered to award contracts and project in consonance with the financial autonomy, he declared that state government has the responsibility to ensure contractors delivered the project as specified.
According to him, ” It is the responsibility of the local government Chairmen to award contracts and pay contracts for the project awarded. But the interest of the state government is ensuring execution and delivery of the projects, failure to do that will attract the involvement of Anti-Corruption.
“The state government will not interfere in the running of their affairs because we respect their financial autonomy, but the Chairmen should note that Anti-graft agencies are monitoring their activities, to prevent corruption.
” Government has directed the Anti-Corruption to detect, investigate prosecute, punish and recover stolen fund from the local government chairmen indicted. Government will continue to strengthen the commission to fight corrupt act in government”. said Commissioner.
Earlier, the Kano Zonal Director of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Shazali highlighted the economic and social implications of corruption, urged the council Chairmen to uphold integrity and accountability while justifying confidence bestowed on them.
Shazali however reminded EFCC’s constitutionally role to compel public officials at all tiers of government to account for their corrupt practices, if found wanting. He reinstated willingness to partner with other Anti-graft agencies to purge the state against corruption.
Chairman, State Anti-graft commission, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimin-Gado explained the workshop was organized to reinforce the role of local government in the social and economic development of the country.
Rimin-Gado posited that of the essence the seminar was put together hinged on getting the council chairmen acquitted with relevant financial regulations that will guide them how to dispense public funds, added that ignorance of financial crimes is not tenable.
