The Fiscal Responsibility Commission in Ebonyi State on Friday warned public office holders against taking loans without its consent.
The Chairman of the commission, Vincent Nwibo, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abakaliki.
Nwibo stressed the need for public servants to be prudent in the management of their office finances and to follow due processes in the collection of loans.
He called on civil servants, managers of agencies, heads of development centres and finance departments of local governments to exhibit zero tolerance to corruption.
Nwibo said the commission had trained investigators to monitor and ensure prudent management of public funds in government ministries, departments and agencies.
He said such offices should remit operating surpluses and submit accounts as specified by the Ebonyi State Fiscal Responsibility Commission and other related matters law.
He said: “All local governments, development centres and agencies cannot take loans without the consent of this commission and we will soon write banks not to grant such loans without approval.
“Trained investigators will visit finance, revenue points and government establishments to check remittance, receipt and procedures.
“Local governments, development centres, ministries, departments and agencies are required to remit returns monthly.
“It’s not business as usual.”
Nwibo said the commission planned public enlightenment workshops to create awareness of its activities.
He said the commission, established in 2008, provided prudent management of state resources and ensured accountability and transparency.
“I advice all to be prudent with public funds as much as possible,” he said, adding that ignorance of the law would not be an excuse.
NAN.