The Kogi State Government has announced the commencement of a bi-annual audit of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) across all 21 local government areas, as part of efforts to enhance fiscal discipline and accountability at the grassroots level.
The initiative was unveiled by the Auditor-General for Local Government, Alhaji Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, during a performance appraisal meeting with council chairmen, treasurers, and directors of internal revenue in Lokoja.
According to Adabenege, the audit set to begin within the next three months will serve as a mid-year evaluation of local councils’ financial health and their progress in revenue generation and curbing leakages.
“This audit is not just a statutory responsibility; it is a proactive measure to encourage local governments to take full ownership of their finances. We expect to see concrete improvements and reforms,” he said.
The Auditor-General expressed concern over the inability of many councils to meet basic financial obligations due to poor revenue performance, urging local government leaders to embrace proactive and transparent practices.
“Some revenue sources were either neglected or poorly tracked. This exercise will help identify these gaps and promote best practices,” Adabenege added.
He stressed the importance of collaboration among key financial officers, including treasurers and directors of internal revenue, to implement more efficient and lawful revenue collection methods. Field visits and direct engagement with local officials will also be part of the audit process, with liaison officers already introduced to streamline communication during the review.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kogi State chapter, and Executive Chairman of Yagba West LGA, Hon. Tosin Olokun, praised the initiative as timely and essential.
“The performance appraisal is an opportunity for councils to evaluate their IGR and learn from one another. The audit will provide a useful benchmark to drive accountability and expose overlooked revenue streams,” he said.
The audit is expected to strengthen financial management and ensure that local councils contribute more effectively to the state’s overall economic goals.
