Katsina State Gov, Dikko Radda has said that he expected nothing less than excellent performances in return from the 34 newly inaugurated local government council chairmen in the state.
He stated this at the swearing in ceremony of the 34 elected local council chairmen, yesterday in Katsina.
Radda said that the expectations from them were high, as they were sworn in at a time when the state was facing challenges and opportunities.
The Governor tasked them to accord priority to education, youths empowerment, roads, infrastructure development, and healthcare service delivery through ensuring a functional primary healthcare system.
“A healthy population is a productive population”, he said.
He also enjoined the council chairmen to provide farmers with inputs and access to markets, to enhance food security and job creation as well as collaborate with security agencies, traditional institutions and religious leaders to maintain law and order in their respective areas.
He said that the state government had created a new department in the Ministry for Local Governments, to ensure effective performance of the councils.
Also, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman, All Progressives Congress ,APC, warned the council chairmen against embezzlement and absenteeism.
“I congratulate you on your election as chairmen. I was once a local government secretary, chairman and commissioner for local governments.
“So, I knew local governments in-and-out. Do not siphon public funds, don’t be an absentee chairmen, who will be in the office only if there is an allocation.
“Be in the office throughout the working days to work for your people.
“There will be auditing, cross checking, monitoring, supervision and reporting on the finances of your respective areas”, he warned.
