The Lagos State House of Assembly has commenced a two-week review of the 2024 financial records of the state’s 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.
The exercise, being conducted by the House Committee on Public Accounts (Local), is focused on resolving outstanding queries contained in the Auditor-General’s statutory inspection report for the financial year ended December 31, 2024.
Council chairmen and relevant officials are expected to appear before the committee with documentary evidence and explanations addressing the issues raised by the Auditor-General.
The review began on Tuesday with officials from Alimosho, Amuwo-Odofin, Badagry, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ikeja, Oriade and Ifako-Ijaiye local councils.
Chairman of the committee, Nureni Akinsanya, said the exercise was part of the legislature’s statutory responsibility to scrutinise the Auditor-General’s report and ensure accountability in the management of public funds.
Akinsanya stressed that the exercise was not a witch-hunt, but an objective process aimed at promoting transparency and accountability.
“The exercise is not intended as a witch-hunt, but rather to enable the committee to discharge its statutory responsibilities objectively, transparently and without bias.”
He said the committee would examine both revenue and expenditure records to determine whether funds accruing to the councils were judiciously utilised and properly accounted for.
The committee chairman consequently directed council officials to cooperate fully with the lawmakers and promptly produce all documents, records and explanations required during the proceedings.
According to him, the committee’s findings and recommendations would be submitted to the House for consideration and appropriate action.
The two-week exercise will continue as officials from the remaining local governments and LCDAs appear before the committee to respond to outstanding financial queries.
