Katsina State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has warned local government council chairmen against the diversion and misappropriation of public funds.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ibrahim Danjuma Machika, gave the warning while leading members of the committee on an oversight visit to various local government areas across the state.
He charged local government chairmen to ensure that funds allocated to their councils are judiciously utilized for the development of rural communities and the improvement of the living conditions of the people.
Machika stressed that the State Assembly would not tolerate any form of misappropriation of public funds, adding that the committee would closely monitor the spending of local governments to ensure compliance with financial regulations.
“Let me sound a warning that the committee will closely monitor your spending and will deal decisively with any reported diversion of funds for personal use,” he said.
The committee chairman explained that the oversight visit was not intended to witch-hunt government officials but to ensure the strict implementation of council budgets as approved by the State Assembly.
According to him, the visit would also provide members of the committee with the opportunity to inspect ongoing and completed projects to ensure that they meet the required standards and contractual specifications.
Machika further called on council chairmen to protect public projects from vandalism to guarantee their durability and ensure that future generations benefit from them.
During the visit, the committee inspected the construction of feeder and township roads, rehabilitation of primary schools, electrification projects, drainage construction, and other development projects.
He commended the councils for their efforts toward improving the lives of rural dwellers and assured them of the Assembly’s continued support in helping local governments discharge their responsibilities effectively.
Earlier, the Chairman of Mani Local Government Area, Dr. Yunusa Mohammed Sani, conducted the committee members around ongoing projects, including the construction of an e-library and other development initiatives.
Our correspondent reports that the first phase of the oversight tour covered Mashi, Kusada, Dutsi, Sandamu, Ingawa, and Mani local government areas.
