Don’t Give Financial Autonomy To 744 Councils,Yobe Governor Warns

Governor Ibrahim Gaidam Yobe state; has warned against the granting of financial autonomy to 774 Local Government systems in country by the National Assembly, warning that it may not guarantee “accountability and transparency” to the people at the grassroots.

Gaidam gave the warnings on Monday, while swearing in 17 elected council chairmen at the Government House, Damaturu.

He said even though the issue of Local Government autonomy has remain contentious in the country, but suggested that it should be handle with caution.

“Some of the elected chairmen in the various councils; could be financially reckless to the detriment of the people that elected them into office,” he warned.

His words: “My position is informed by our experience in Local Government administration in our state for over two decades.

“When Local Government received their statutory monthly share from the federation accounts directly, some of the unpleasant experiences, I had included financial recklessness, large scale mismanagement of funds, failure to pay workers’ salaries for many months.”

He charged the inaugurated chairmen to enhance revenue generation, revitalized education, health, agriculture sectors and to continue with the laudable initiatives of the state government aim at improving the living conditions of their people.

On developing the council areas, he said: “You should utilized federation allocations in the development of in infrastructural facilities and fight the ghost workers’ syndrome. While doing that you go into capital projects and support security the military and security agencies as well as keep watch of their employees for efficient service delivery.

“Utilize the monthly allocations from the federation accounts and the internally generated revenue (IGR) judiciously and in the spirit of probity and transparency.

He said these could be achieved; if all council members, heads of departments and sectional heads are involved in the decision making process in consultation with the stakeholders of your councils.