Ogun State House of Assembly, through its Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption has enjoined the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to give necessary support and direction to the Local Government Councils in the State to properly track and ensure total documentation of all landed properties belonging to the councils to prevent avoidable litigation and dispute over ownership.

The Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption, Hon. Damilare Bello, gave the advice, during the ongoing consideration of the 2023 Auditor-General’s Report on Local Government Councils at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Bello in company of other members including his Vice, Hon. Musefiu Lamidi, as well as Honourables Adebisi Oyedele, Babatunde Tella, Folawewo Salami, Adegoke Adeyanju, Oluwaseun Adesanya, Samisudeen Lawal, Olusegun Kaka Odunuga, Yusuf Amosun, and Dickson Awolaja, noted that the Committee’ advice followed a general observation contained in the reports of the Auditor-General for Local Governments on the Accounts of the 20 Local Government Councils in the State as raised by the Director, Local Governments’ Accounts, Mr. Taofeek Adebayo

Taking on Ado- Odo/ Ota Local Government Council led by the Chairman, Mr. Wasiu Lawal, Hon. Bello warned that delay in taking possession of the said landed properties could result in the loss of the said properties or unnecessary litigation.

The House Committee also directed the Management of the Council to produce its fixed asset register, stressing the need to put strategies in place to boost revenue generation and recover debts owed by revenue collectors.

According to Hon. Bello, the local government council could accelerate its infrastructural development through the adoption of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) especially on the reconstruction of its markets.

On it part, Yewa South Local Government, led by Barr. Babatunde Ogunsola, was directed to re-present its updated report for the year under review; while encouraging it to block all revenue leakages with a view to increasing internally generated revenue.

The House Committee also commended Ijebu-Ode Local Government Council chaired by Mr. Damilare Alebiosu for improved revenue performance; while counseling the Management of the council to close dormant accounts and carry out other development and revenue generating projects amongst others.

Reaffirming the Assembly’s responsibility on the need to promote accountability and transparency in local government administration; the House Committee noted that public assets must be safeguarded and properly managed for the benefit of the people.