A bill on Local Government Fiscal Accountability has passed its first reading in the Senate.
The Bill titled “Local Government Fiscal Accountability Bill 2024 (SB, 549)” aims to promote transparency and accountability in Local Government Administration by mandating the publication of monthly allocations to all Local Government Areas from the Federation Account.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the plenary session on Tuesday, the sponsor of the bill and Senator representing Kwara Central, Saliu Mustapha, noted that the bill if passed into law would foster public trust and confidence in Local Government Administrations.
Senator Mustapha believes that transparency would lead to more effective and rapid development in rural areas as well as reduce rural-urban migration.
“I firmly believe that this transparency will lead to more effective and rapid development in our rural areas. As we all know, Local Government Administration is the closest arm of government to the people. By opening up their revenues to public scrutiny, we will drive development across rural areas and reduce rural-urban migration.
“Moreover, since Local Government Chairmen do not have constitutional immunity, publishing their revenues will encourage them to utilize funds wisely”, he said.
The lawmaker added that “As the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development, my goal is to motivate Local Government administrations to develop rural areas. I am confident that this bill will achieve its intended purpose and contribute to the growth and development of our nation”.
The bill, if enacted into law, will require the Federal Ministry of Finance and its relevant agencies to publish monthly allocations to all Local Government Areas nationwide .