By Abubakar Rabilu Gombe
The Gombe State Government has urged newly elected chairmen of the 11 local government areas (LGAs) and 13 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to familiarise themselves with relevant laws governing their offices and ensure accountability in the discharge of their duties.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and community development Barrister Sani Ahmad Haruna, and the Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Muhammad Luggerewo, gave the charge on the third day of a three-day orientation programme organised for the council chairmen by the Ministry for Local Government and Community Development.
Haruna, in his welcome remarks, said the programme was designed to equip the chairmen with practical knowledge of local government administration and strengthen collaboration between the councils and state ministries, departments and agencies.
He said the participants had received training on local government laws, the historical evolution of local government administration, security, primary education, anti-corruption measures and effective communication.
The commissioner urged chairmen who were yet to complete their asset declaration to do so, describing it as a statutory responsibility of public servants.
He also called for closer collaboration between local authorities and security agencies to maintain peace and create an enabling environment for development.
Haruna further advised the chairmen to communicate their achievements transparently, particularly as the state approaches the 2027 general elections.
Also speaking, Luggerewo urged the chairmen of the 13 LCDAs to understand the constitutional and legal limits of their offices to avoid actions that could undermine effective administration.
He advised them to study the 1999 Constitution, as amended, laws establishing local governments and LCDAs, as well as relevant state laws on public procurement and internally generated revenue.
“You cannot deliver very well unless you know your scope and limitations. You must know your constitutional responsibilities and understand the laws establishing the local government and LCDAs,” he said.
The Speaker described the creation of the LCDAs as a major legislative achievement, noting that other states had expressed interest in studying Gombe’s model of grassroots administration.
He urged the chairmen to work closely with members of the House of Assembly and other stakeholders to address the needs of their communities.
Luggerewo also stressed prudent management of public funds, saying council resources must be channelled into projects and programmes that have direct impact on the people.
He assured that the House would continue to exercise its oversight functions over local councils and LCDAs, including reviewing financial records and inspecting projects to ensure accountability and value for money.
The Speaker directed the chairmen to comply with the Standard Operating Procedure approved by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and urged them to translate the knowledge gained from the orientation into improved service delivery at the grassroots.
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