The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday, abolished arbitrary deductions from the allocations of Local Government Councils in the state.
Alh. Bello frowns at the various deductions from the council allocations by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, saying state laws cannot override the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He directed the Ministry to submit their running cost to the Office of the Governor and stop exploiting the Local Government Councils.
He urged Council Chairmen to ensure pensioners and teachers are paid their pensions and salaries this month.
Gov. Bello urged the Chairmen to ensure Council workers are promptly paid their full wages, warning against profligacy saying the Chairmen must account for every penny received from the Federation Account. He urged the Council Chairmen to execute projects that will impact positively on the people of the state, reiterating his desire to visit Local Government Areas to commission projects.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area, Alh. F.G. Ibrahim thanked the Governor for his historic intervention at freeing Local Government Areas from the jugular of financial restrictions. He canvassed for forensic audit of Local Government pensioners. He also advocated for better supervision of teachers to ensure efficiency.
The Chairman of ALGON in the state and the Chairman of Ajaokuta Local Government Council, Hon. Aloysius Okino thanked the Governor for his clear directive on Council properties, urging the Chairmen to take possession of their properties.
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon. Abdulmalik Abdulkarim said the decision of the Governor to give Local Government Councils financial autonomy is a revolution that has heralded a new Kogi State. He urged the Chairmen to seize the opportunity and develop their different Local Government Areas.
