The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has warned local government chairmen and officials not to misuse public funds. With a new system of local government financial independence now in place, the ICPC said anyone found guilty of diverting or stealing money will face serious punishment, including jail.
ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu, gave this warning during the launch of a new program in Abuja. The program, called the Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme for Local Governments (ACPP-LG), is meant to stop corruption in all 774 local government areas in Nigeria.
“This initiative aligns with the Supreme Court’s ruling on July 11, 2024, which restored full financial autonomy to local governments, ensuring direct disbursement of funds and eliminating undue state interference,” he stated.
The ICPC will now keep a close watch on how local governments plan, spend, and report their budgets. They will focus on five important areas:
- Making government spending open and clear (Fiscal Transparency)
- Ensuring fair and open bidding for contracts (Open Procurement)
- Proper hiring and management of workers (Human Resources Management)
- Strong rules to fight corruption (Corruption Control)
- Getting citizens involved in the budget process (Citizen Engagement)
Dr. Adamu said the goal is to stop waste and stealing of money meant for community development. The ICPC will use its power to investigate and take anyone who breaks the law to court.
“State governments must support local councils to ensure smooth implementation of these reforms. Civil society organizations and the media have a crucial role in raising awareness and holding local governments accountable,” he said.
To enhance citizen participation, ICPC will leverage technology and social media platforms to allow Nigerians to monitor local government projects and report corruption through its official channels.
He also asked for support from state governments, civil society groups, and the media to help make sure the reforms work well.
The ICPC said it remains committed to making local governments work better, deliver services to the people, and rebuild public trust.
