ABEOKUTA, Nigeria — The Ogun State House of Assembly has directed the leadership of all 20 Local Government Councils in the state to enforce the effective documentation of their assets and financial records. This directive aims to promote transparency and accountability across the local governance structures.

The instruction was issued on Wednesday by the House Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption, chaired by Damilare Bello. The committee is currently reviewing the 2024 report of the Auditor-General for Local Governments at the Assembly Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

During the session, the committee, which included members such as Babatunde Tella, Folawewo Salami, Dickson Awolaja, Adegoke Adeyanju, Oluseun Adesanya, Ayodele Wasiu, Lukmon Atobatele Lukmon, Bisi Oyedele, Wahab Haruna, and Waliu Owode, examined the reports of five local government councils. These included Ewekoro, Ijebu North, Ijebu East, and Ifo Local Government Councils.

Chairman Damilare Bello emphasized the critical need for prompt record-keeping of all council activities. He stated that this practice is essential for strengthening accountability, improving asset management, and facilitating effective oversight.

Bello also urged the councils to provide comprehensive records of their landed properties. Additionally, he instructed them to recover unauthorized local government number plates and ensure the proper maintenance of all records pertaining to government assets.

The lawmakers expressed significant concern that poor filing of official records and financial documents could impede the Committee's ability to conduct thorough reviews and effective oversight of the councils' operations.

Consequently, the House Committee has directed the affected councils to resubmit updated records at a future date. These submissions must be accompanied by adequate explanations and complete documentation to satisfy the committee's requirements.