Local Govt Autonomy begins in Taraba – Hassan
By Okerafor Athanasius
The Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government, Traditional and Chieftaincy Affairs in Taraba State, Mr. Babangida Hassan has stated that Governor Agbu Kefas’ initiatives of organizing Local Government Council Elections for Council Chairmen across the State is the beginning of the processes of granting approval for Local Government Autonomy in the State.
Hassan spoke to newsmen in Jalingo shortly after the closing ceremony of a Three Day’s Orientation Course/Retreat organized for the newly sworn-in Executive Chairmen of the Sixteen Local Government Areas of the state.
Hassan, who charged the Executive Chairmen to go back to their various Councils and start work said Elections are over, they should go and do the needful, queue into the Five point Agenda of the Governor.
“They should be mindful of the Task ahead of them, being equipped with the Retreat and should carry everybody along, prioritize on their Programmes, Policies and plans and take action”.
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“The State Government under the able leadership of Governor Agbu Kefas, who is desirous to transforming the State beginning from the Grassroots is there to render every needed assistance”,
“Local Government Autonomy, the process has started and the process is still on-going”, he said
The Permanent Secretary further disclosed that Euclase Resources in conjunction with the State Bureau for Local Government, Traditional and
Chieftaincy Affairs organized an Orientation Course/Retreat to equip the newly sworn-in Executive Chairmen and other heads of Administration for better service delivery.
Our Correspondent gathered that the Local Governments are the closest form of government to the people but for decades, Local Governments have suffered setbacks in Nigeria in terms of funding.
It was also gathered that since the Accounts of the Local Governments and States were merged together to have a Joint Account, developments in various Local Governments are rare. This brought suggestions raised at some quarters that there should be a separation between the Accounts of States and that of the Local Governments.
“Joint Accounts should be discouraged”.
