Fear grips Council Chairmen as Wike inaugurates committee to investigate Local Government financial transactions

Rivers State Governor,  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 inaugurated theCommittee to investigate and audit the financial transactions of the 23 Local Government Councils from May 2018 to May 2019.

Wike said the committee is not aimed at removing any Council Chairman or official but targeted at improving probity and accountability in the 23 Local Government Councils of the state.

He said: “We are not trying to remove any Local Government Chairman,  but it cannot  be business  as usual in the 23 Local Government Areas.

“We want to know how the Local Government Councils  spend their Local Government Allocations. I have never interfered in the administration  of Local Government funds.

“I am not one of those governors that interfere with Local Government  funds”.

Governor Wike regretted that despite the monthly allocations  to the 23 Local Government Councils,  there is no local  Government Area that has executed projects.

“I have found out that there is no Local Government Area where you see a single  project.  When I was Local Government Council Chairman,  we executed projects. For me, I invited the State  Governor at the time, Dr Peter Odili to commission projects. No  local Government Chairman has invited  me to commission a project “, he said.

Governor Wike urged the committee to live above board, saying that if he gets Information  that any Local Government Chairman or Godfather attempts to compromise the committee, the committee will be dissolved.

“People must sit up and account for funds of the Local Government Councils. Ask for bank statements,  ask for money from Joint Account,  ask for the salaries and allowances.  If they spent any funds the day I visited, they should state it. We cannot continue the way we are going. “At the end of every month,  they come JAC meeting.

We must know how the funds are spent. Also, check which Local Government Councils collected loans when they are not backed to do so without authorisation “. He said that the committee has three weeks to submit its report. He stated that the State Government counts on the integrity of members of the committee  to deliver on the assignment.

Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Committee,  Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo assured Governor Wike that the committee will deliver on schedule in line with its terms of reference. She said the audit is  tool aimed at ensuring the proper use of Local Government funds for the development of the respective areas.

“The efficient running of Local Government Councils will add value to the achievement of the vision of the Governor.

The committee will not work in line with the terms of reference of the Governor “, she said.