The newly appointed Committee, chaired by Comrade Anthony Udeh, with Dr. Peter Aneke serving as Secretary, includes notable members such as Mr. Tony Okenwa, the Accountant General of the State, and Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in Enugu State.
During the inauguration ceremony held at the Government House in Enugu, Governor Mbah emphasized the crucial role of the local government in governance, highlighting its proximity to the people. He urged the committee members to ensure that the allocated funds work towards improving the well-being of the populace through the State Joint Local Government Account.
Governor Mbah stated, "Local government accounts are of utmost importance to us, as they play a critical role in uplifting our people out of poverty. The local government is the arm of our government that is closest to the people. Therefore, local government funds must not only work for the well-being of our people but must also be seen to be doing so."
Highlighting the significance of the committee's responsibilities, the governor emphasized the need for credibility in managing and ensuring the effective allocation, monitoring, and distribution of local government funds. He expressed his confidence in the committee members, noting their credibility and capability to discharge their duties.
In his response, Chairman Anthony Udeh expressed gratitude to Governor Mbah for the opportunity given to serve on the committee. He assured the governor that the committee members were committed to fulfilling their responsibilities in line with the administration's vision of transparency and accountability. Udeh acknowledged the challenging financial circumstances faced at global, national, state, and local government levels but affirmed their determination to align with the governor's principles.
According to Section 162 (6) to (8) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), each state is mandated to maintain a special account known as the "State Joint Local Government Account." This account receives allocations from the Federation Account and the State Government, which are then distributed among the Local Government Councils in the state, as prescribed by the State House of Assembly.
Governor Mbah's emphasis on utilizing local government funds for poverty alleviation reflects his administration's commitment to the well-being of the people. With the inauguration of the JAAC, Enugu State aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective management of local government resources, ultimately benefiting the citizens at the grassroots level.
