By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab.
Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Chief Edward Onoja has said that government of Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello has transformed the administration of council areas in the state.
Chief Onoja dropped the hint in a key note address he delivered at a one day retreat for key functionaries of Local Government administration held at the conference hall of the ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lokoja.
The Chief of Staff also said unlike in the past where appointments of key government functionaries at the grass root was monetized, the current leaders at the council were appointed on merit. He said the ongoing transformation in the councils was as a result of good. leadership between the state government and council administrators.
Chief Onoja called on council administrators to improve on their internally generated revenue to improve delivery of services to the electorate. He also advised them to adhere strictly on budgetary provisions in implementing government projects.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs, Engr. Abubakar Ohere said the one day retreat is aimed at strengthening the functions government officials in all the Local Government Areas. He said the workshop will equip them for better performance in their respective duties.
Engr. Ohere also applauded the council officials for the existing harmonious relationship among them in carrying out government programmes. He urged them to continue to key into Governor Yahaya Bello’s new direction policy to meet the needs of the people at the grass root.
Two of the guest speakers who presented their papers at the workshop, Dr John Alabi and Joel Akowe harped on the need for government functionaries to imbibe the culture of transparency in carrying out their duties in council Areas.
They also urged the officials to adhere strictly to their yearly budgetary provisions in implementing their people oriented projects at the grass root.
In his vote of thanks the Chairman of the Kogi State chapter of the All Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Union, Hon. Taofiq Isah thanked Governor Yahaya Bello for organizing the one day retreat for Local Government functionaries.
He said with the workshop, key Local Government functionaries are now well informed and positioned for maximum performance.
