Local Government Administrators in Ogun state have been urged to uphold self-discipline, financial transparency and accountability towards ensuring judicious utilisation of funds allocated to the councils for expenditure purposes especially project funds in their areas.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan gave the charge at the Fourth Edition of Local Government Consultative Meeting on Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), held at the Oba’s Complex in Oke-mosan, Abeokuta.
Olabimtan, who emphasized the need for the council administrators to have a clear understanding of the dictates of the State Fiscal Responsibility Law,2020 as amended (FRL), which allows for consultations and technical support with the State government in the determination and preparation of their yearly budgetary expenditure, urged them to explore the provisions accordingly.
Olabimtan hinted that the Prince Dapo Abiodun led- administration had reinforced the socio-economic activities across the State with the introduction of several reforms such as the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and its allied components, describing MTEF as a 3-year expenditure planning document that sets out priorities for sectoral developments.
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“This fourth Consultative meeting with the local council administrators is a statutory meeting stipulated by the State’s Fiscal Responsibility Law 2020 as amended, and it is in line with International financial best practice put in place for sustainability purposes of all our socio-economic activities ” he added.
The Commissioner-designate called on the administrators to change their mindset regarding budgetary spending and should ensure they justify every fund allocated for projects in their respective areas, calling for a concerted effort towards the actualization of the ‘’Building Our Future Together’’ agenda of the present government in the State.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Finance who doubles as the Chairman of the State’s Economic Team, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo applauded the local government administrators for their past contributions and quality presentations to the budget preparation process in the state, noting that the State’s budget performance had improved glaringly due to the several reforms put in place by the government despite emerging macroeconomic realities.
Okubadejo called on the administrators to expedite the process of domesticating the State’s FRL,2020 in their areas and harness the potential in their areas for increased internally generated revenue, with emphasis on investments in infrastructure development thus ensuring Public-Private Partnerships for greater economic growth.
In their respective contributions, the Chairman Ijebu-Ode Local Government and Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter. Hon. Emiola Ghazal noted that funding was a major challenge affecting the development of the council areas, calling on the State government to give them opportunity to explore the inherent potentials that would shore up their capital base.
Also, the Secretary to Obafemi Owode Local Government, Mr. Kayode Dipeolu emphasised the need for practicability and a realistic budget outlook that would address and meet pressing socio- economic needs of the areas, describing the local governments as the bedrock of democracy.
