The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has warned the newly-inaugurated six Area Council Chairmen against signing chequebooks.
Speaking on Monday night during the inauguration of the chairmen who were elected in February, Wike said their role is to approve, adding that there are designated civil servants who are signatories to the accounts of area councils.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Minister warned that any council chairman who goes against the directive will be reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Wike pledged that he would not tamper with statutory allocations meant for the councils, and warned that he would ensure a full probe of financial flows.
“Some of you here operate accounts. No executive chairman is allowed to sign chequebooks. Your role is to approve. That is why we have civil servants who are signatories to the accounts of area councils. Let no chairman put himself in trouble by signing cheques for withdrawals. You don’t have the authority.
“This is not the time you tell your treasurer or head of local government to meet you in a hotel, or ask, ‘How much do we have? Remove this, keep this for me, I’m travelling tomorrow.’ It will no longer happen. Hear it now: if I know, I will call EFCC, I will call ICPC to look into your matter,” the FCT Minister declared.
Wike also cautioned the new chairmen against residing outside their local domains, stressing that they must live among the people and not run to the city.
The minister stated that the elected chairmen are constitutionally empowered to develop their local communities and ensure that the impact of governance is felt at the grassroots.
“Stay where you were elected and perform your work. Don’t tell your people, ‘come and see me in the city’. You were not elected in the city. Stay at home so that your people can carry their problems to you. Stay at home so that you will know where kidnappers and bandits are operating from. If you are not at home, you won’t know where the problems come from. You must stay at home and give information to security agencies, the FCT Minister, and the FCTA,” Wike said.
According to him, the area council administration would “no longer be business as usual,” adding that the elected officials have an obligation to work for their people.
“Your people listened to you and they all came out to vote for you. Remember, you have a covenant with the people. The people have performed their civic obligation. You owe them a duty to make them feel the impact of governance. It is not about wearing traditional clothes; it is time to work for your people,” he said.
