The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has promised to monitor local government activities to ensure good governance, accountability, and transparency.
The anti-graft agency disclosed this at a national dialogue organised by Agora Policy, themed “Enthroning Accountability in Local Government in Nigeria”, in Abuja on Monday.
This development is coming after the recent Supreme Court judgement granting financial autonomy to local governments.
A representative of the EFCC Chairman, Friday Ebelo while speaking at the event emphasized its commitment to scrutinising local government activities.
He said, “Good governance encompasses three essential elements: accountability, transparency, and citizen participation. For these elements to be effective, we need dedicated and development-minded individuals to manage local government administrations.”
“We must make a deliberate effort to bring the presence of governance to our people, ensuring that citizens feel the impact of governance in their daily lives, particularly in areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.”
The commission warned that “business as usual” would not be tolerated, indicating a renewed focus on ensuring local governments are held accountable for their actions.
Agora Policy founder, Waziri Adio, emphasised the need for reform in rural government areas, stating, “Local government areas are the least trusted, least capacitated, and least interesting to the public.”
Adio noted that despite being expected to perform crucial functions, local government areas are failing to meet expectations.
“Only 28 per cent of citizens trusted local government administration, down from 58 per cent in 2000,” he cited from Afrobarometer’s 2008 survey.
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