Ondo Acting Governor Freezes Local Government Accounts
The acting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has ordered the freezing of accounts belonging to the 18 local government areas and 33 local council development areas (LCDAs).
The directive, Excel Magazine International learnt extends to the newly created LCDA, with a specific instruction not to open new accounts.
A formal letter addressed to the local councils states: “Distinguished HOLGAs, Your Excellency, the Acting Governor of Ondo State, has directed the suspension of all spending/expenditure from local government accounts. This includes no signing of cheques, no change of signatories, and no withdrawals of any kind until further notice. Please strictly adhere to these instructions.”
Expressing concern over the move, a caretaker chairman, who craves anonymity said “Yes, he has blocked the accounts of the local governments. We don’t know why he’s doing that now.”
In a related development, Acting Governor Aiyedatiwa has designated his Deputy Chief of Staff, Omojuwa Olusegun, to handle the preparation and signing of his official engagements temporarily.
A letter signed by Omojuwa and addressed to members of the State Executive Council and top government functionaries states, “The Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has directed me to inform all members of the State Executive Council and Top Government Functionaries that the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor would be responsible for the preparation and signing of his official engagements for the time being. The Chief of Protocol would take charge of this responsibility as soon as Mr. Governor resumes from his medical vacation.”
