The Federal Government is planning to launch a central transparency portal that will allow Nigerians to track public funds received and spent by all 774 local government areas (LGAs) across the country.
Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this while presenting the government’s assessment of Nigeria’s Reforms Scorecard: Benefits, Costs and Harms Prevented in Abuja.
Key Highlights:
- FG plans a central transparency portal for all 774 LGAs.
- Nigerians will be able to access monthly FAAC allocations to local governments.
- The platform will provide information on budgets, development plans and projects.
- Citizens will be able to track ongoing and completed projects in their local governments.
- Audited accounts are expected to form part of the information available on the portal.
- The Federal Government has yet to announce a launch date.
Nigerians to track local government allocations
According to Oyedele, the proposed platform will provide citizens with direct access to key financial information for every local government.
The information is expected to include monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations, approved budgets, development plans, ongoing and completed projects, as well as audited accounts.
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Users will be able to select a local government and view its financial resources, budget details and the status of projects being implemented in the area.
“This is where people feel the impact of government the most,” Oyedele said, stressing the need for greater accountability at the grassroots.
Portal to link allocations with projects
The proposed transparency platform comes amid increased financial allocations to states and local governments following the removal of the petrol subsidy and foreign exchange reforms.
Recent FAAC allocations have seen local governments receive hundreds of billions of naira monthly, although public access to information on how the funds are utilised remains limited in many areas.
The Federal Government said discussions with state governments had already commenced, with some states expressing willingness to establish similar reporting mechanisms.
Once operational, the portal is expected to provide a consolidated national picture of local government finances and allow citizens to compare allocations with actual project delivery.
FG targets greater accountability at grassroots
Officials said the initiative would give citizens greater access to financial information and strengthen their ability to demand accountability from state and local government authorities.
The platform is part of broader Federal Government efforts to improve transparency and ensure that increased revenues at the sub-national level translate into visible development in local communities.
However, the Federal Government has not announced a specific date for the launch of the proposed portal.
