The Ogun State House of Assembly has warned Local Government Councils and Ministries, Departments and Agencies against the abuse of government number plates, directing them to ensure proper management and retrieval of official plates issued to retired and former government officials.
The directive was issued by the Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption, Hon. Damilare Bello, during the commencement of the consideration of the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report on Local Government Councils at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Bello said the continued possession of government number plates by former public officials could pose security risks, stressing the need for authorities to maintain accurate records of all government-issued plates and recover those no longer in legitimate use.
He said, “There is a need to immediately retrieve number plates still in the possession of retired and former government officials to prevent their use by unauthorised individuals.”
The lawmaker added that proper management of official number plates had become necessary in view of the prevailing security situation in the country.
He urged the management of the councils and heads of MDAs to regularly take stock of government-issued number plates and ensure that those allocated to officials who had retired or left public service were retrieved and properly accounted for.
Bello, however, said the committee’s review of the Auditor-General’s report was not designed to witch-hunt or embarrass local government officials, but to strengthen accountability and ensure the proper management of public resources and government assets.
According to him, “The exercise is not intended to target or embarrass any Local Government official. It is aimed at strengthening financial management systems, promoting accountability and ensuring that public resources and government assets are properly managed in the best interest of the people.”
He assured the officials appearing before the committee that the exercise would be conducted fairly and objectively, with due regard for the principles of natural justice.
Bello said the committee would take appropriate action whenever evidence of financial misconduct, negligence or non-compliance with existing laws and regulations was established.
Speaking during the exercise, the Auditor-General for Local Governments, Mr Abdul Najeem Olayinka, commended the committee for its commitment to accountability and transparency.
Olayinka urged the management of the local government councils, particularly the chairmen and internal auditors, to strengthen internal control mechanisms and ensure prompt reconciliation of financial records.
He said, “The Internal Auditors must function effectively and reconcile financial records promptly to reduce infractions.”
The councils that appeared before the committee included Odeda, Ogun Waterside and Ikenne Local Government Councils. They were represented by their Heads of Local Government Administration, Mr Oluwole Fateru, Mr Victor Awobotu and Mr Oluwole Adeosun respectively.
