The house said the audit is to make the 57 LGAs, LCDAs accountable....

The Lagos State House of Assembly says it has begun an audit of the accounts of 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

The house said this was part of efforts to strengthen accountability at the grassroots.

The Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (Local), Nureni Akinsanya, who made this know said the audit was to promote transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public funds across the local councils.

He explained that the exercise was conducted in accordance with Section 52 of the Local Government Administration Law 2024 and Rule 116 of the Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

“This exercise is very important to check records and ascertain whether things are done rightly or wrongly.

“Where there are errors, corrections will be made, and officials will be properly guided on the right course of action,” Akinsanya said.

He expressed confidence that the exercise would achieve its objectives, particularly in correcting anomalies and ensuring that local government chairmen and other officials comply with due process.

Akinsanya further disclosed that the committee would critically examine the 2023 report of the Auditor-General for Local Governments.

He added that officials expected to appear before the committee include chairmen and vice chairmen, council leaders, members of executive committees, council managers, treasurers, and other key officials of the council.

The committee chairman assured that, at the conclusion of the exercise, its findings and recommendations would be presented to the House for further legislative action.