Honourable Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, the Auditor General for Local Government in Kogi State, has called on the newly elected chairmen of the 21 local government areas to prioritize financial discipline in managing the resources of their councils.

Speaking at a meeting with the local government chairmen in Lokoja on Tuesday, Adabenege stressed the importance of financial accountability and adherence to local government autonomy as they fulfill their duties to their communities.

The Auditor General highlighted the state’s commitment to enabling local governments to have greater financial independence while adhering to established financial regulations and budgeting protocols. He urged the chairmen to embrace transparency, accountability, and due process in managing their councils’ finances.

Adabenege also emphasized the need for the chairmen to set up strong financial oversight mechanisms to ensure the judicious use of resources for community development. He reminded them that managing public funds responsibly is not only a legal requirement but also a moral obligation to serve their constituents with integrity.

The meeting, which also included the Directors of Local Government (DLG), underscored the significance of sound financial management at the grassroots level, as part of the broader framework of local government autonomy.

In their responses, the chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON), Tosin Olokun, and the chairman of the Forum of DLGs, Aliyu Musa, expressed their commitment to implementing the new financial guidelines. They also stressed the importance of ongoing training and capacity-building for local government officials to effectively navigate the complexities of financial autonomy.

Both leaders assured that they would uphold due process and ensure that financial regulations are followed in all council operations.