Bauchi Gov Tasks LG Chairmen On Financial Discipline

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has challenged the newly-elected local government chairmen to be prudent in managing resources meant for their councils as the state will be leading by establishing local government financial autonomy.

Mohammed made the call yesterday while receiving the chairmen on a courtesy visit at Government House, Bauchi.

He urged them to study government policies, civil service rules and financial instructions to be able to provide quality leadership that would guarantee their success.

The governor who said that the recent Supreme Court judgement which granted financial autonomy for the local governments came with a misunderstanding, assured of its full implementation after completion of the assignment being conducted by the committee of attorneys-general across the country regarding the new constitutional provision.

According to him, with or without the autonomy, his administration remains committed to providing all the needed support in critical sectors of healthcare services, education, infrastructure and human capital development.

He therefore stressed the need for the newly elected chairmen to deepen stakeholder collaborations through the establishment of effective working partnership with traditional institutions, religious organisations and security agencies.

Speaking on behalf of the chairmen, the chairman of Bauchi local government area, Alhaji Mahmood Baba expressed gratitude for the opportunity promising to deliver on their mandate.

He also commended the governor for his concern on the plights of communities at the local levels.