BY PRINCE EJAKPOMEVI
FOUNDING Coordinator, Delta State Civil Society Community, Dcn Okezi Odugala, has announced plans of civil society to intensify scrutiny of local government councils, with a particular focus on how state-allocated funds are spent.
Speaking during an interview, Odugala stressed that there should be transparency and accountability from the grassroots level, noting that proper scrutiny of the local government should ensure that public funds are being spent effectively for the benefit of the people.
According to him, “We are going to beam our search-light on them. They should not hide under the excuse that the state government is performing.
The governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has his own agenda, while the local governments also have their own social contracts because they contested elections and came into office with their own mandates.
“We intend to interrogate how they utilise the direct funding coming to them. The question is simple: what have you done with the funds, and what development has taken place within your axis since these funds were allocated to you? These are questions that will be asked and will demand an answer,” he said.
Okezi explained that everything cannot be left for the Governor to handle, which leaves the local government to also play their part. “You have your own agenda, and you owe citizens transparency and accountability. That is why we are now focusing attention on local governments,” he added.
He also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly said that citizens should engage their local government chairmen and governors because funds are being released.
“This is not an era where there is no money; there is money available. The governor himself recently stated clearly that funds exist and that the money belongs to the people,” he noted.
Okezi revealed that with the election drawing closer, the next phase of the work will involve proper assessment and examining their records.
“We will review their books and assess projects executed across the state because they must complement what the governor is doing. If governance works collaboratively at the community, local, and state levels, Delta State can become one of the best states in the country.
“He also urged the governor to understand that when the Civil Society engages, it should not be perceived as fighting, but rather it shows an expression of genuine concern for the welfare of the people.
“Our engagement is constructive. I do not see why local government chairmen cannot organise public forums within their communities to ask citizens about their needs and explain how resources to them are being utilised,” he said.
