By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri
Against the backdrop of the awaited release of monthly revenue allocation directly to the Local Government Area nationwide, a sociopolitical group, ‘Save Imo’ has warned chairmen of the 27 LGAs in Imo State against misuse or diversion of the accruing revenue.
In an open letter addressed to Chief Paul Duru, Executive Chairman of Nwangele LGA and the 26 others, the group advised the LG chairmen to note that no none else shall be held accountable for the council funds, except them.
In the letter signed by an activist, Ebubeagu Ekenulo, the group observed that following the landmark Supreme Court judgement on Local Government autonomy with order(s) that allocation accruing from federation account to LGAs be paid directly to the Local Government bank accounts, the October allocation has arrived.
His words, “Please be strongly advised that you and you alone and no other person, shall be held accountable for every bit of local Government allocation fund under your care.
“Please bear it in your minds that Lack of Accountability and Transparency is a no go area and will not be condone. Let conscience and or integrity lead! Expect a robust and constructive Public scrutiny of how you use and spend your respective Local government allocations and funds, powered by Save Imo.
“Save Imo shall be in the forefront to monitor the movement and spending of local Government allocations across the 27 LGs. Local Government allocations is strictly meant for the infrastructural development and wellbeing of your respective Local government council areas.
“The allocations are meant to be used to do for the people what the people cannot do for themselves, and to provide greater benefits to the greater number of the grassroots dwellers.
“You are sitting between the comfort of your executive offices and long ropes of EFCC, NFIU, ICPC and Prison! SAVE IMO and her team of Lawyers shall be writing your LG FOI letters from time to time for relevant disclosures bordering on accountability and transparency for Public interest.
“No Local Government chairman will be exempted from Save Imo’s searchlight and none will be witch hunted”, he added.
