Assembly LGA Committee warns traditional rulers, officials against sheltering criminals
From Abdullahi Alhassan, Bauchi
The Bauchi State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has expressed concern over absenteeism and abscondment from duty by local government workers across the state.
The committee chairman, Honorable Bala Abdullahi Dan, made the statement during a familiarization visit to Ningi, Warji, and Ganjuwa Local Government Councils.
He said that it is very worrisome how many local government workers abscond from their duty posts only to receive salaries at the end of every month. He stressed the need for all local government chairmen in the state to put modalities in place to ensure that every worker goes to their duty post so as to move the areas forward.
Honorable Bala Dan also advised the workers to fear Almighty Allah and discharge their duties as contained in the terms and conditions of their employment.
On the security problems facing Ningi and other parts of the state, the committee extended the sympathy and condolences of the Bauchi State House of Assembly to the people of Ningi Local Government Area on the recent killing of members of the vigilante group in Gamji forest of Burra District and other reported killings.
The committee also called on the chairmen, traditional, and community leaders to join hands with security agencies to fish out all bad elements in their domains.
The committee chairman warned traditional rulers and government officials against giving shelter to criminal elements by selling or allocating lands to them, as this is one of the root causes of security problems in the area.
He also called for synergy and unity between the caretaker chairmen of local governments and members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly so as to strengthen the flow of dividends of democracy to the grassroots.
He said that it is unfortunate that in some local governments, chairmen ignore lawmakers representing them despite being major stakeholders in the administration of the local governments.
The chairman further stressed the need for mutual understanding and cooperation between the chairmen, deputies, councillors, and workers for the overall development of society.
In their separate remarks, the caretaker committee chairmen of Ningi, Warji, and Ganjuwa Local Governments, Alhaji Ibrahim Zubairu Mato, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad Baima, and Alhaji Muhammad Miya, respectively, expressed delight at the visit, which they said would further foster unity and cooperation between them and the legislative branch of the state.
The chairmen expressed readiness to work hand in hand with the assembly in order to ensure accountability, transparency, and patriotism in local governments administration in the state.
Meanwhile, the committee has also paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya, in his palace and expressed determination to work with emirate councils in terms of security and community development.
The committee also assured the emir of its readiness to support traditional institutions in the state and extended their sympathy on the spate of banditry and kidnapping in the emirate.
In his remarks, the emir commended the committee for the visit, which he said is the first of its kind. He emphasized the need for such a committee in the assembly because it will help in assisting in the proper handling of chieftaincy affairs in the state.
The emir urged the assembly to help in tackling insecurity in the emirate because despite his efforts and that of security agencies, criminals are resurfacing and launching new attacks.
