DETAILS: Oyo Assembly Ratifies Report Of Ad-Hoc Committee That Investigated The Activities Of Ajimobi's LG & LCDA's Chairmen.

Photo: Hon Popoola A Olusegun. Chairman House Committee On Local Government and Chieftaincy Matter

The Oyo State House of Assembly has on Tuesday,February 4th ratified the preliminary report of Ad-hoc Committee constituted to investigate the activities of the chairmen and sole administrators of Local Governments(LGs)and Local Council Development Areas(LCDAs)in the state from May,2018 to June,2019.

At the plenary session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon.Debo Ogundoyin.The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Popoola A. Olusegun representing Ib Southeast state constituency 2 before the house's ratification presented the report in a chronological order before all the parliamentarians who charged him to explain how he went about the findings, what he discovered in the course of investigation and the conditions that triggered the recommendations among others.

The legislators with different political platforms, having approved the committee's recommendations but were differ in their comments.

Naija TODAY News had on Tuesday reported the accusations by Oyo State house of assembly to the sacked 33 local government Areas Chairmen and the 35 Local Council Development Areas chairpersons of gross misconduct during their tenure particularly from May, 2018 to June, 2019. And we promised to come up with the details of the report.

See the full details of committee report below:

PRELIMINARY REPORT OF AD-HOC COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED TO

INVESTIGATE THE ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND

LOCAL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN THE STATE FROM

MAY 2018 TO JUNE 2019

PREAMBLE:

Pursuant to the Resolution of the House at its sitting on Tuesday 9th July, 2019 that the Ad-hoc Committee carry out investigations into the activities of the Local Government and Local Council Government Areas in the state from May 2018- June 2019, The Committee and Local Council Development Areas and other stakeholders.

PROCEDURES ADOPTED IN CARRYING OUT THE INVESTIGATION:

2.1 On Wednesday, 17th July, 2019 the Committee convened a stakeholders meeting. All the Heads of Local Government Administration and other Directors were addressed to convey the intention of the House on the investigative hearing. The officials of the Local Government and Local Council Government Development Areas were charged by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. E.A. Ogundoyin admonished and solicited to support and cooperate with the members of the Ad-hoc Committee in order for the assignment to be result oriented. He further said that the 9th Assembly was interested in consolidating democracy at governor level via the establishing of an efficient and effective Local Government administrative system that would engender robust and impactful development at the local and community levels. He also assured the officials that the 9th Assembly under this which would not witch-hunt Government Officials but rather serve as corrective measures for improving Local Government system. The chairman of the Ad-hoe Committee also communicated the terms of reference of the Committee and informed the officials about the time-table for the appearance of the respective Local Government and Local Council Development Areas.

2.2 The Committee requested for relevant documents from the Ministry of local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Auditor-General for Local Government, Accountant-General of the State and all the thirty three (33) Local Government and thirty five (35) Local Council Government Area. The documents were scrutinized by the Ad-Hoc Committee.

2.3 The officials of the respective thirty three (33) Local Government and thirty five (35) Local Council Government Areas appeared before the Committee and were interrogated by members on various areas of their Accounts of Stewardship within the period under review with effect from Monday 22nd to Monday, 29th July, 2019

3.0      GENERAL FINDINGS AND       OBSERVATIONS:

Below are our General Findings:

3.1 The need for proactive and continuous oversight of the Local Government by the House in tandem with section 2(d), Fourth schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended to effectively monitor the execution of programmes and projects that will have direct impact on the grassroot and for the citizenry to enjoy the dividends of democracy was unfolded;

3.2 Almost all the Local Government and Local Council Government Areas embarked on programmes and projects worth millions of Naira on the local people that did not have direct impact on Local Populace. For instance, the rate of concentration on social services programmes was more than that of Education Services.

3.3 The funds approvals given to Local Government by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters for construction and maintenances of roads, streets, lightings, drains and some public highways contravened the provision of section 19 (2 and 3) of Local Government Law. 2001 which empowers the House of Assembly  to approve expenses to be incurred by Local Government on some projects. It is observed that if there is compliance with the provisions. The House will give approvals to only impactful projects after due consultation with the constituents.

3.4 The committee’s observe that there were duplication of programmes and projects worth millions of Naira executed by Local Government and Local Council Development Areas During the period under review which attracted millions of Naira. Some programmes and projects have the same times with some amount and were repeatedly captured in the expenditure. Section (19) 1 of the Local Government Law, 2001 stipulates the spending limit of a Local Government Chairman at Five Hundred Thousand Naira only (N500,000.00) All expenses above the speeding limit of the Chairman required approval from the Ministry of Local Government. As a result of this spending limit, almost all expenses of Local Government and Local Council Development Area were pegged to a sum of Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only (N450,000.00) on the average a little bit below Five Hundred Thousand Naira and were probably repeated in their document.

3.5 Expenses incurred by Local Government and Local Council Development Area on clearing and evacuation of refuse on weekly or monthly basis were very outrageous. If corrective measures are in place, such expenses could be expended on other pressing issues at the Local Government,

3.6 Some agrarian Local Government and Local Council Development Areas did not bother to invest in agriculture in spite of availability of resources to work with by in Agriculture Officers, The few Local Government that invested in Agriculture paid maximum attention on Agricultural Social support programmes than Agriculture Investment Return initiatives

3.7 Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of most of the Local Government and Local Council Development Areas increased tremendously in May to June 2019 from instance of daily ticket to commercial vehicles in the State due to the proscription of the Nation Union Road Traffic Workers (NURTW) and its allied unions by the State Government.

3.8 The document submitted by the respective Local Government and Local Council Development Areas revealed that there was no ongoing project in the respective Local Governments.

3.9 Some projects executed by Oyo State Roads Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA) on behalf of Local Government were abandoned. The  involvement of OYSROMA in Local Government projects by the last administration was noted to be in aberration to the Local Government system as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution as amended and extant laws of the State on Local Government.

3:10 Some Local Government Officials informed the Ad-Hoc Committee that the bulldozers, graders, excavators and other equipment procured by the last administration for local government were no longer functioning and service able and efforts made to contact the supplier  of those equipment (CAT) yielded no result

3:11 Some Local Government and Local Government Council Development Areas owing areas of 6 to 7 months salary by the last administration in the State. These include, Ibadan North Local Government, Lagelu Local Government, Egbeda Local Government, Ogbomoso South Local Government, Ogbomoso West Local Government among others

4.0 SPECIFIC FINDINGS FROM SOME LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AREAS ON OBSERVATION OF MALADMINISTRATION

The Ad-hoc Committee observed an act of maladministration on the part of some Local Government and Local Council Development Area that seriously affected the expected development at the grassroot levels of Government. Some LCA and LCDAs duplicated and inflated their project and programme, some submitted fake and photocopy of bank statement instead of certified true copy, few spent out of their Stabilization Account without necessary approval taken from the appropriate authority, The summary of the affected Local Government and Local Council Development Areas are tabulated below;

Categories of Maladministration

LGAs & LCDAs Affected

Name of Projects & Programme Listed

Average Amount Expended

Remarks

Duplication of programmes and projects

(1) Asabari LCDA

(i) Rehabilitation of Road at Baba Isale Area

(ii) Rehabilitation of Road at Butubutu Area

(iii) Rehabilitation of Road at Kajola Area

450,000

450,000

450,000

Rehabilitation of Roads appeared in 17 places of the document

(2) Ogbomoso South West LCDA

(i) Sensitization programme on Community development

(ii) Clearing of refuse at Ajegunle

(iii) Clearing of refuse at Alalubosi

(iv) Clearing of Block drainage at Alapata

440,000

456,000

456,000

450,000

Sensitization Programme and clearing of Refuse repeatedly appeared in the document

(3) Saki East Local Government

(i) Rehabilitation of Community Town Hall, Oje owode

(ii) Rehabilitation of Community Town issues (Topic not indicated )

(iii) Water Pollution and preservation (Location Not Indicated)

8.3 Million

12.9 Million

3.2 Million

Same project appeared in 4 places with different Amount

(4) Ogbomoso South Local Government

(i) Construction of Culverts, Earthworks and Asphaltic paving of Otamokun Road Housing Scheme Road

(ii) Construction of culverts, earthworks and asphaltic paving of Otamokun Road Housing Scheme Road

952 million

107 million

The project has the same title with different amount expended.

(5) Ibadan South East Local Government

(i) Rehabilitation of Lawal Street off Academy

(ii) Rehabilitation of Technical College Orita Aperin

(iii) Rehabilitation of Alubarika Road II, Muslim

145,600

465,000

442,000

Rehabilitation of Roads appeared in 18 places with different amount expended.

(6) Oyo East Local Government

(i) Rehabilitation of Iyana Bala to Jabata Road of Adjourning spur

(ii) Rehabilitation of Iyana to Jabata issues (Topic not indicated)

(iii) Water pollution and preservation (Location not Indicated)

29.6 million

29.6 million

3.2 million

The project each appeared twice in the document examined.

(7) Ogo-Oluwa Local Government

(i) Grading of Elaga-Hofe road 3km

(ii) Grading of Elega-Ibere Junction

(iii) Grading of Elega to Olorunda Junction

279,609.64

239,603.28

375,000.00

Same Project are repeated in different column of the document examined

(8) Ogbomoso North Local Government

(I) Evacuation Of Refuse At Takie Park

(Ii) Evacuation Of Drainage At Papa Alajiki

(Iii) Evacuation Of Debris at Oke Ado H.C.

(iv) Evacuation of Debris at Sabo Market.

310,000

330,000

360,000

380,000

Evacuation of refuse and drains repeated in different column.

(9) Oke ‘badan North LCDA

(i) Grading of King and Kings Road

(ii) Grading of Unity Road

(iii) Grading of Community Primary School, Olopomewa

(iv) Grading of Temitayo Road, Akatapa Area

(v) Grading of Aba Paanu Hall and provision of water supply at Oje owode

439,000

412,000

475,500

475,000

404,800

The grading of Roads appeared severally

(10) Atisbo South LCDA

(i) Clearing of over grown weed along Ago-Are

(ii) Clearing of a block drain along Ofiki Road, Ago-Are

(iii) Clearing of littered and accumulated refuse at Sabe town

275,000

375,000

350,000

(11) Wewe LCDA

(I) Rehabilitation of Civilian Officer Road Koomu, Saki

(ii) Rehabilitation of Nawarudeen School Road

(iii) Rehabilitation of Poly Rector Road, Challenge

485,000

450,000

465,000

Rehabilitations of Roads repeated in 14 places

(12) Ibarapa East Local Government

(i) Drilling of Borehole at Giga Agbeniga of Oke Eruwa

(ii) Drilling of borehole at Olori Village, Eruwa

(iii) Drilling of borehole at Kaara Okolo village

(iv) Drilling of Borehole at Gag Ogunleke Village, Eruwa

450,000

450,000

500,000

450,000

Drilling of Boreholes appeared in 9 places of the document examined

(13) Ibarapa Central Local Government

(i) Rehabilitation of Sekere Road Phase I

(ii) Rehabilitation of Sekere Road Phase II

(iii) Rehabilitation of Sekere Road Phase III

481,750

487,800

482,000

Rehabilitation appeared in 10 places

(14) Lagelu North LCDA

(i) Evacuation Of Accumulated Waste At Alape

(ii) Evacuation Of Debris In The Drainage Around Apateere Market

(iii) Evacuation of Sanitary disposal of Blocked Drainage at Olosunde

(iv) Evacuation/Sanitary disposal at Igbaro Area

(v) Disposal of accumulated refuse 

480,000

420,000

500,000

480,000

480,000

Evacuation of waste, debris and refuse appeared in 8 places.

(15) Iseyin Local Government

(i) Construction of Tanks and Tap stand at Kanbi Oke-Eyin

(ii) Construction of Tanks and Tap stand at kanbi ewun Oke-Eyin

(iii) Construction of Tanks and Tap stand at Olomu Olokoyo

480,000

480,000

480,000

Construction of Tanks and Taps stands appeared in a places

Categories of Maladministration Observed

LGAs & LCDs 

Name Of Projects & Programme Inflated or outrageous

Average Amount Expended

Remarks

Inflation or outrageous quotation on projects/ Programmes executed

(1)  Itesiwaju Local Government

(i) Widening of local Government Boundary (Igbojaye Road to Atisbo South LCDA Boundary (Direct Labour)

2.7 Millions

Noted for further Investigation

(2) Ibarapa East Local Government

Drilling of boreholes at different locations (of places) with different Amount

450,000 to 600,000

-ditto

(3) Ibarapa North East LCDA

(i) Public Enlightenment programme on tropical

2.5 Millions

-ditto-

(4) Lagelu Local Government

(I) Rehabilitation Of Odo Oba Phase I Village

(Ii) Rehabilitation Of Road At Aba Oje Village

(iii) Rehabilitation Of Road Akin Sare village.

480,000

4.8 million

465,000

-ditto-

(5) Ogbomoso South Local Government

(i) Construction of culverts, earthwork and Asphaltic paving of Otamokun Road Housing Scheme

(ii) Construction of culverts, earthwork and Asphaltic paving of Otamokun Road Housing Scheme Development Area

(iii) Ogo-Oluwa Local Government

(iv) Ogbomoso Central Local Council Development Area

(v) Omi Apata Local Council Development Area

(vi) Ibadan North West Local Government Local Council Development Area

(vi) Ajorosun Local Council Development Area

95.2 million

107.1 million

-ditto-

(6) Ibadan West LCDA

Clearing of drainage along Adabeji BCJ Apata Area 

Clearing of drainage along Giwa Adinni

Clearing of remittance of Debris (No Location) 

Clearing of a blocked drainage along Amunigun Ogunpa Area

Clearing of drainage along Adabeji BCJ Apata Area 

Clearing of drainage along Giwa Adinni

Clearing of Remittance of Debris (no location)

Clearing of a blocked drainage along Amunigun Ogunpa

360,000

350,000

350,000

350,000

360,000

350,000

350,000

350,000

Clearing of drains, Debris and refuse appeared in 16 Places  

Submission of Take and photocopy of Bank Statement instead of certified True Copy  

Wear Local Council Development Area

Asabari Local  Council Development Area

Arelatosa Local  Council Development Area

Irepodun Local  Council Development Area

Ogbmoso Local  Council Development Area

Atebu Local  Council Development Area

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

To represent Certified true Copy of Bank Statement

5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS:

In view of the above findings, the Ad-hoc Committee from the inter action with  the officials of the local government and local council development areas and the examination of the documents submitted. The Ad-hoc Camille hereby recommends for the approval of the House as follows. That 

Generally, the House is urged to direct the Committee on Local Government Chieftaincy. Matters and State Honors to embark on immediate further investigation of Local  Government and LCDAS in the State as a follow up on the report of the Ad-hoc Committee:

The 9th Assembly and the Committee on Local Government Chieftaincy Matters and State Honors to take periodic oversight of Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in the State as a Priority for effective Local Government System to transform grassroot level of government.

The Local Government and Local Council Development Areas to embark on peoples oriented programs and project that will impact positively on the local people At least thirty percent (30%) of Local Government annual budget should be allocated to education sector for rapid educational advancement at grassroot levels.

The ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matter to comply with the provisions of section 17(2 and 3) of the Local Government Law 2001 (as amended). The law provides that the Oyo State House of Assembly should approve funds for road, culverts, bridges drains construction and others to be embarked upon by the Local Government.

The duplication programmes and projects by Local Government should be jettisoned in the new dispensation erring Local Government and Local Council Development Areas should be sanctioned. If projects are to be executed in phases it has to be Indicated at the commencement or Approving level of such projects.

The 9th Assembly should initiate amendment to section 19 (1) of the Local Government Law 2001 to upwardly spending limit of Chairmen of Local Government to the State considering the present economic situation and for Local Government to quickly response in exigency and mergence matters at local levels that require funds above N 500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) other amendment to some section of the Law that required could also be initiated to improve Local Government System.

The Environmental Department of Local Government and Local council Development Areas to be mandated to initiate and adopt modern ways of disposing  refuse by encouraging households to have domestic waste bins and pay token to Government for waste disposal this will reduce outrageous expenses incurred by Local Government and Local Council Development Areas on evacuation and clearing of refuse on weekly and monthly basis.

The Agricultural Departments of all grain Local Government and Local Council Development Areas to be mandated to invest agricultural activities that will be focus more on Agricultural to investment Return Initiatives in tandem with the Agricultural revolution polity of Governor Seyi makinde’s administration.

The Local Government and Local council Development Areas be urged to initiate diverse ways of boosting their internally generated revenue (IGR) the amount generated could be invested on projects that will be beneficial to the citizenry

Urge the Executive Arm of Government to conduct Technical Audit of all bulldozers. Graders, excavators and other equipment procured for the Local Government by the immediate past administration, and 

Generally the House is urged to direct the Committee on Local Government Chieftaincy Matters and state Honours to embark on immediate further investigation of Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in the State follow  up on the report of the Ad-hoc Committee.

                                               Signature Date

Hon. A. O. Popoola - Chairman; 

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Hon. S. A. Onaolapo - Member;

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Hon.  H. A. Adedibu - Member;  

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Hon. O. S. Babalola - Member: 

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Hon. A. E. Olajide - Member; 

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Hon. (Mrs.) B. O. Oladeji - Member;

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Hon. F. J. Okedoyin - Member; 

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Hon.  B. O. Adeola - Member; 

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Hon.  F. A. Adetunji - Member; 

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Hon. F. S. Oyekunle - Menmber;

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Hon. O. T. Kehinde Menmber;

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I. Adetunji Committee Clerk

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