By Onomiguren Agbamu
The Delta State House of Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has commenced consideration of the Auditor-General (Local Government) report on the 2025 fiscal year of the 25 local government councils in the state with a view to strengthening financial reporting, accounting procedures, revenue generation and compliance with statutory requirements.
The exercise, holding at the State Assembly complex in Asaba, was the fourth consecutive review by the committee following its consideration of the 2022, 2023 and 2024 audit reports, earlier laid before the State Legislature for necessary oversight in line with the state financial laws.
Chairman of the committee and member representing Okpe State constituency in the House, Hon. (Dr) James Augoye, said the exercise was not designed to witch-hunt any local government council or any official, but to identify weaknesses and ensure that appropriate measures were taken to correct them.
Hon. Augoye explained that strengthening financial accountability and improving the management of public resources at the grassroots level remains critical to effective service delivery.
The Lawmaker assured that the committee would work with stakeholders to ensure full compliance with the committee recommendations for the benefit of Deltans.
According to him, “The essence of this exercise is not to witch-hunt any local government council, but to strengthen their financial management systems, improve performance and ensure that proper financial records are maintained”.
Hon. Augoye, flanked by other members of the committee including Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, Frank Esenwah, Festus Okoh, Spencer Owhofa and Bernard Odior, appealed to officials appearing before the committee to provide clear and satisfactory explanations to the issues raised by the auditors.
The Lawmaker explained that council chairmen were exempted from the exercise because of other state assignments, while Heads of Personnel Management and Treasurers were invited because of their direct responsibilities for financial documentation and management.
Presenting the audit findings, the Auditor-General (Local Government), Mr. Ikenna Ukpaka raised concerns over delays in the submission of General Purpose Financial Statements and other accounting records by some councils.
The Auditor-General noted that some local government councils failed to meet the March 30, 2026 deadline for the submission of their financial statements, while others failed to submit monthly statements of income and expenditure as required by Section 23(c) of the Delta State Local Government Law 2023, as amended.
He therefore recommended stronger revenue-generation mechanisms, adoption of new financial and budget templates, performance-based budgeting, improved procurement processes and increased capital expenditure on priority development projects.
Mr. Ukpaka also called for stronger internal control and internal audit systems, timely submission of financial statements and returns, proper maintenance of accounting books and registers, regular bank reconciliation and prompt retirement of financial advances.
The Auditor-General further recommended a comprehensive audit of outstanding liabilities across the councils to determine the true level of indebtedness and develop measures to reduce the growing financial burden.
The Dean of HPMs and Head of Personnel Management, Ughelli South Council, Dr. Austine Emaduku, commended the Public Accounts Committee and the Auditor-General for the exercise which seeks to strengthen accountability and transparency.
He said the exercise also serves as enlightenment in ensuring strict compliance with established laws regulating local government administration in the State.
The Public Accounts Committee is expected to continue its technical examination of the audit findings, with officials of the 25 local government councils required to respond to the issues raised and provide necessary documentation and clarifications.
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