A prominent non-governmental organization, Nafesoje Empowerment Foundation, has issued a stern ultimatum to the 17 local government chairmen in Enugu State. The NGO has demanded a comprehensive account of the federal allocation funds received by the local governments over a three-year period. The total amount under scrutiny exceeds N55 billion. Failure to comply with the request within the given timeframe may result in legal action.
In an official statement released on Friday in Enugu, the Nafesoje Empowerment Foundation expressed its commitment to upholding good governance and fostering accountability in public administration. Having monitored the activities of the 17 local governments in Enugu State for the past three years, the foundation discovered concerning irregularities and subsequently decided to intervene by seeking an explanation.
According to the foundation’s statement, the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding the utilization of substantial revenue allocations raises serious concerns. It highlights the absence of clear financial records or explanations from the various local government chairmen regarding how the allocations were expended or the specific projects they were designated for. This silence not only contradicts the Local Government Administration Laws of Enugu State but also undermines the very essence of governance itself.
In response to these issues, the Nafesoje Empowerment Foundation engaged the services of C.I. Odo Esq, a lawyer who sent a letter titled “Demand for Proper Account/Explanation of the Revenue Allocated to the Seventeen (17) Local Governments Council of Enugu State from 2020-2022. A Pre-Action Notice” to the respective local government chairmen, by the foundation’s house located in Trans Ekulu, Enugu, Enugu State, requested a detailed account of the revenue allocated to each local government, specifying the projects executed between 2020 and 2022.
The letter explicitly states that failure to respond within seven days will result in legal proceedings initiated by the Nafesoje Empowerment Foundation without further recourse to the chairmen. Furthermore, the foundation reserves the right to petition anti-graft agencies for an investigation into, and potential arrest and prosecution of, any chairman implicated in mismanagement during the stated period.
This ultimatum from the Nafesoje Empowerment Foundation puts significant pressure on the local government chairmen in Enugu State to address the concerns raised and provide a satisfactory account of the allocated funds. The foundation’s dedication to promoting good governance and ensuring transparency within local administration signals a strong stance against corruption and mismanagement of public resources.