TheCable

Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, has inaugurated the state’s joint accounts allocation committee (JAAC).

Inaugurating the committee at the government house on Thursday, Mbah said local government funds must be used to lift the people out of poverty.

The 16-member committee has Anthony Udeh as its chairman and Peter Aneke as the secretary.

Other members include Tony Okenwa, accountant-general of the state, and Okechukwu Edeh, chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Enugu chapter.

Mbah said the local government is the closest to the people while noting that only credible persons have been selected as members of the committee.

“Local government account for us is a very important account and we believe we must ensure that the people who will manage and ensure the allocation, monitoring, and distribution of this account are credible people because the local government is that arm of our government that is closest to the people,” he said.

“Ours is to make sure that we lift our people out of the pit of poverty and we do not believe that there is a better-positioned arm to do that than the local government.

“Therefore, local government funds must not only work for the wellbeing of our people, but must be seen to be doing so.

“This is why your management, monitoring and distribution of the local government account are critical and we have selected you as people, who are credible enough to discharge these duties.”

Udeh thanked the governor for finding the members worthy to serve.

He pledged the readiness of the committee to discharge its functions in line with the vision and principles of transparency and accountability.

“We are also not unmindful of the fact that we are facing very serious financial challenges across the globe, Nigeria, states, and local governments,” he said.

“But inasmuch as the task before us is challenging, we are equal to it. We will align with your huge vision and principles of transparency and accountability.”