The Committee set up by the Rivers State government to investigate and audit the financial transactions of the 23 local government councils in the state, quizzed the 23 council Chairmen.
The committee Chairman and Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, while addressing the Chairmen in Port Harcourt, said the purpose of the probe was to reposition the local government areas as the bastion of grassroots development and democratic dividends.
According to her: “The local government is the closest tier of government to the people. His Excellency wants to be sure that monies that get to the local government are used in the overall interest of the people, especially for projects that touched on the lives of the people.”
The committee Chairman, who called for maximum cooperation with the committee for optimum result, said the committee would not hesitate to indict any local government council as well as other stakeholders that may fail to give its maximum cooperation.
Banigo stated that all necessary documents in their possession required for this exercise must be provided.
Harry-Banigo said the committee would not tolerate any attempt to interfere with the smooth running of the business of the committee by any form of inducement whatsoever.
She stated that any such attempt shall be vehemently resisted and all such elements would be extracted from the committee immediately.
Chairman of the Port Harcourt City local government council, Victor Ihunwo, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, assured the committee that the Chairmen would give their maximum support to ensure that the committee succeeds.
