– Warns Elected Chairmen Against Embezzlement, Misappropriation
A Coalition of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) says it has concluded plans to set up a template with which to monitor the disbursement of funds that accrue to the 27 Local Government Councils in the state, with a view to ensuring accountability and transparency.
One of the organizers of the group, Comrade Chinonso Nwadialu who disclosed this to our reporter recently, said their resolve became necessary because successive Governors in Imo State diverted, misappropriated and most times, pocketed eighty five percent of funds that accrued to the 27 Local Government Councils, hence there is absolute lack of development and the dividends of democracy in all of them.
According to Nwadialu, “under normal circumstances and considering the huge amounts of money they receive from the federal government monthly, the local government councils are supposed to construct roads, build health centers, renovate schools and create jobs among other goodies for the people. But because the money allocated to them was often diverted nothing is happening.
That is why we are using this opportunity to inform them that it will no longer be business as usual. Any elected Chairman who cannot give a good account of funds that accrue to his Local Government Council will be made to face the full weight of the law to serve as a deterrent to others. We are already discussing with the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ and other responsible professional bodies that share our vision with a view to ensuring transparency and the judicious use of local government allocations.
Responding to a question, Comrade Nwadialu, said, “the buck stops on the Chairman’s desk because constitutionally he is in charge. That is why the excuse they often give that they were either mandated or manipulated by the Governors will not be tenablel this time around”.
