ASABA — The Delta State House of Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has commenced the review of the Auditor-General (Local Government)’s report on the 2025 financial year of the state’s 25 local government councils.
The exercise, which is being held at the State Assembly Complex in Asaba, is aimed at strengthening financial reporting and accounting procedures, improving revenue generation and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements at the grassroots level.
It is the fourth consecutive audit review undertaken by the committee, following its consideration of the reports for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 financial years.
Chairman of the committee and member representing Okpe State Constituency, Hon. (Dr.) James Augoye, said the exercise was not intended to witch-hunt any council or government official, but to identify weaknesses in the financial management systems of the councils and recommend appropriate corrective measures.
According to Augoye, effective financial accountability and prudent management of public resources are essential to improving service delivery across the state.
“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,” he said.
The lawmaker assured that the committee would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure that its recommendations were fully implemented for the benefit of Deltans.
Augoye, who was flanked by other committee members, including Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, Frank Esenwah, Festus Okoh, Spencer Owhofa and Bernard Odior, urged officials appearing before the committee to provide clear and satisfactory explanations to the issues raised in the audit report.
He explained that council chairmen were not invited to the exercise because of other state assignments, while Heads of Personnel Management (HPMs) and Treasurers were invited because of their direct roles in financial documentation and management.
Presenting the audit findings, the Auditor-General (Local Government), Mr. Ikenna Ukpaka, expressed concern over delays by some councils in submitting General Purpose Financial Statements and other mandatory accounting records.
Ukpaka disclosed that some councils failed to meet the March 30, 2026 deadline for submitting their financial statements, while others did not submit monthly statements of income and expenditure as required by Section 23(c) of the Delta State Local Government Law 2023, as amended.
To address the shortcomings, the Auditor-General recommended stronger revenue-generation mechanisms, the adoption of updated financial and budget templates, performance-based budgeting, improved procurement procedures and increased capital expenditure on priority development projects.
He 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.
Ukpaka further recommended a comprehensive audit of outstanding liabilities across the councils to establish their actual level of indebtedness and develop strategies to reduce the growing financial burden.
Meanwhile, the Dean of HPMs and Head of Personnel Management, Ughelli South Local Government Council, Dr. Austine Emaduku, commended the Public Accounts Committee and the Auditor-General for the initiative.
Emaduku said the exercise would promote accountability and transparency while also serving as an important avenue for enlightening local government officials on the need to comply strictly with laws and regulations governing local government administration in Delta 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 relevant documents and clarifications.
