Ogun Assembly Moves To Ensure Transparency In Local Councils' Finances, Considers Bill For Creation Of Audit Dept

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Ogun State House of Assembly has commenced consideration of the Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2024 seeking creation of a full-fledged Department of Audit Investigation and Control from the existing Department of Finance and Accounts in the Local Government Administration in the state 

The bill which scaled second reading on the floor of the House on Tuesday in Abeokuta, according to the lawmakers, is aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and effective service delivery at the third tier of government.

Members in favour of the Bill included, the Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Dickson Awolaja, Oluseun Adesanya, Folawewo Salami and Majority Leader, Yusuf Sherif, who explained that the amendment would ensure improved value for scarce resources of government, ensure career progression of the Local Government staff, and served as a strong check and balance for Local Government Councils’ accounting system.

The Speaker of the house, Right Honourable Oludaisi Elemide who presided over the plenary at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said the Bill when operational, would enhance the principles of separation of power and engender a more responsible and vibrant financial administration at the local government level.

The Speaker thereafter committed the Bill to the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for further legislative action.

Meanwhile the house has passed the State Magistrate Court (Amendment) Law, 2023,as part of moves to strengthen access to justice dispensation for the people 

The passage of the Bill followed the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Justice, Ethics and Public Petitions by its Chairman, Hon. Oluseun Adesanya, who also moved the motion for its adoption, seconded by Adegoke Adeyanyu  

The Bill was later read and adopted clause-by-clause before the Committee of the Whole House, after which the motion for the third reading of the Bill was moved by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sherif, seconded by Adeniran Ademola and supported by other lawmakers through a voice vote.

The Deputy Clerk of the House, Barr. (Mrs.) Funmilayo Adeyemi, took the third reading of the Bill and the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide directed that clean copy of the Bill be transmitted to Governor Dapo Abiodun for his assent.