By Precious Oluwole

Ondo State House of Assembly, on Monday, began the account assessment for local government councils.

It would be recalled that at the last plenary, the House summoned the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) to appear before it to account for the allocations in the last six months.

In his address, the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji stated that the Lawmakers are the representatives of the people of the State and they have to put up some checks and balances to ensure that there’s accountability.

The Speaker, while frowning at the reluctance of some Local Government Administrators to honor the invitation earlier written to them six weeks ago by the house committee on local government which necessitated the summon ,noted that the process is the right and constitutional duty of the House of Assembly to request for account presentation of local government administrators.

He urged them not to panic and cooperate with the House of Assembly and present necessary documents required of them.

Earlier in welcome address, the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Oluwatoyin Victor Japheth, stated that the House of Assembly has the power to appropriate, monitor and supervise the local government finances.

He noted that the excercise is not to witch hunt anybody, and also warned the Local Government Administrators who have refused to heed to the call of the House of Assembly to present their account to do so or face the wrath of the House.

He stressed that the assessment would not be limited to technical session but there would be an on-the-spot assesment.

In an interview, the most senior HOLGA who is from Akoko North East local council,Adewunmi Arijeniwa said that they understand the constitutional duty of the house of Assembly on local government and are ready to cooperate with them.

According to him, the house is doing what is expected of them as representatives of various constituencies and would not take them for granted.

The six Local Governments in the Northern Senatorial District of Ondo State, appeared before Committee of the whole House today, while Southern Senatorial District to appear on Tuesday, 20th of August and Central Senatorial District to appear on Wednesday, 21st, August, 2024.