Nasir El-Rufai
John Shiklam in Kaduna̢۬
The Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, monday announced autonomy for local governments in the state, abolishing the joint state and local government system, which had stunted development at the grassroots.
The governor also said 10 per cent of internally generated revenue
(IGR) would be remitted to local government councils in the state.
Speaking while swearing-in sole administrators for the 23 councils in the state yesterday at the Government House, the governor said with this development, council chairmen cannot afford to fail the people.
Speaking while swearing-in sole administrators for the 23 councils in the state yesterday at the Government House, the governor said with this development, council chairmen cannot afford to fail the people.
He warned the sole administrators to desist from residing outside their
localities, declaring that anyone who cannot live within the locality
should vacate the office.
“You have no excuse to fail. Perform and bring real development to our
state at the local government level. I am using this occasion to fulfill
our campaign promise. During the campaigns, we said we will not hold
local government funds if elected.
“Therefore, I am happy to inform you that the government under our
watch has formally abolished joint account in Kaduna State, there will
be no more holding local government funds hostage under the pretence of
joint account.
“I also wish to inform you that the government will do its best to be
remitting 10 per cent of the state’s IGR to the local government areas.
Like I said, we must deliver, we can’t let our people down.
“In addition, you are to swing into action and commence carrying out
meaningful projects in all the wards in your council. Already there is a
blueprint of proposed development which you will see and work with as a
guide to taking development to our communities,” the governor said.
He further charged the council sole administrators to take the issue of
security very seriously by partnering with traditional and religious
leaders and the entire stakeholders.
“Don’t be arrogant to your people, you are assigned to serve them and
nothing more than that. We will not hesitate to call you to order if you
think you will play with our people and the trust vested in you,” he
warned.
He directed the council officials to submit within two weeks a list of
government assets such as schools and hospitals that have been
encroached into by trespassers.
“We did not appoint you because of your religion, ethnicity or where
you come from. You have been appointed to work and bring positive
change,” El-Rufai declared.
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