Follow Us on Google
From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) has revealed that only seven of the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have functional websites.
This was revealed by Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu at the opening of a two-day Gombe State Local Government Summit on Local Government Autonomy, Fiscal Responsibility and Sustainable Development in Gombe, yesterday.
He described lack of functional websites as a major driver hindering transparency in the governance system. He explained that in addition to having a functioning website, officials must make such sites lively by uploading plans and activities such as contracts, procurements and other government businesses to ensure minimal public reporting.
He added that none of the 11 local government areas of Gombe State has a functioning website, stating that a functioning website is a way to ensure transparency and visibility of government activities.
On the forms of corruption affecting the local government system in Nigeria, Dr. Aliyu identified embezzlement, bribery, nepotism, resource misallocation to be among others corrupt practices. He added that such practices lead to poor service delivery, infrastructural decay and inefficiency.
Gombe State Governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, remarked that the summit was organised in response to the evolving trends in local government administration, particularly in the light of ongoing national discourse on local government autonomy.
He explained that being the third tier of government, local governments are the closest to the people and the bedrock of grassroots governance, responsible for delivering basic services, maintaining peace and security and fostering harmony in our communities.
He added that the summit is “to assess where we stand, exchange ideas and chart a course towards a more efficient, autonomous and accountable local government system in Gombe State and Nigeria at large.
“Let me state unequivocally that my administration supports local government autonomy. For autonomy to be beneficial and useful to the people, we must ensure that local governments have the capacity, financial discipline and accountability to utilize their resources (both internal and external) effectively. We are determined to work with our local governments in order to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership between the state and local governments. This partnership is crucial for achieving equitable development across all the 11 local government areas in Gombe State,” Yahaya stated.
