C’River Assembly Public Account Committee Interfaces With Council Chairmen On Accountability And Due Process

To align holistically with the developmental blueprints of Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Out’s led administration, the Cross River State House of Assembly Public Account Committee in Calabar interfaced with Executive Council Chairmen in the state with a view to cross fertilize ideas.

According to the Committee Chairman, Hon. Bryan Odey Wonah, Member representing Yala 1 State Constituency, he hinted that the parley is aimed at familiarization and constructive ideas sharing with the newly elected Council Chairmen on effective funds management, methodologies for improved Internally Generated Revenue and Due process compliance.

The Public Account Committee Chairman also noted the importance of aiding this third Tier of government succeed as it has direct bearings on rural dwellers, complementing the Governor’s strides on improved security, environment, road construction, education, agriculture, workers welfare, up-scaled commercial activities among others currently impacting positively in the state. In his words

“Public Account Committee together with the Speaker and House leadership saw it necessary to invite all newly elected Council Chairmen in the state for Interface, familiarization, sensitization and orientation on operations of the local government administration.

“Our primary aim is to see how we can take Cross River State to the next level particularly in the rural areas with Chairmen as the closest. The synergy from this parley will bring good results to Cross River State. 

The Governor, His Excellency, Prince Bassey Edet Otu is doing wonderfully well. The state is more secured with robust economic indices, educational facelifts, agricultural revolution, infrastructural upgrades, workers welfare particularly civil servants and pensioners among others given priorities. These are indications that the Governor is working assiduously to reposition the state. 

“For the good of our people, we cannot afford to allow the newly elected Council Chairmen to fail as it would negatively rob on us all.” He stated.

In his advisory role, RT. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly sued for inclusivity in governance as provided for in the newly amended Local Government Laws of Cross River State which has become a model in the country. He charged the Council Chairmen on symbiotic relationship with the state Assembly in line with constitutional provisions.

Other lawmakers who spoke at the gathering urged the newly elected Council bosses to keep their eyes on the ball in ensuring improved revenue generation and prudent utilization of funds aimed at attracting needed dividends of democracy to rural dwellers.

Speaking on behalf of colleagues, Hon. Yibala Inyang, Yakurr Council Chairman who doubles as Chairman, Forum of Council Chairmen, Cross River State thanked Assembly for the constitutional exposition which will aide efficient discharge of their responsibilities in consonance with Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s ‘people first’ manthra.

Earlier in his remarks, Dr. Oden Eni, Auditor-General for Local Government, Cross River State said his office is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring effective utilization of funds towards production, infrastructure, education, health, security and improved financial management at the local government level.

Quoting section 56 (2-4), he stated that his office is empowered by law to audit local government accounts in accordance to international best practices with a three-fold assignment to conduct financial audit to strengthen financial records, compliance audit which emphasizes compliance to extant laws and performance audit to determined conformity to Due Process in the conduct of activities at the Local Government level.