We’ll intensify efforts to offer more responsive, responsible leadership – ALGON

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By our correspondent, Lafia

The National President of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr. Aminu Muazu-Maifata has assured Nigerians they would do everything humanly possible to intensify efforts to offer more responsive and responsible leadership to workers at their various grassroots levels.

He also stated that the recent autonomy granted to local government councils in the country by the Supreme Court would not be taken for granted.

Mr. Muazu-Maifata was speaking at the end of the three days 48 National Executive Council (NEC), Board of Trustees (BOT) of ALGON.

He said the issue of primary healthcare facilities, provision of basic education at the grassroots and other statutory responsibilities on LG council would be prioritized in the administration of LGs without any hindrance.

The ALGON national president who is also the chairman of Lafia local government area of Nasarawa state further pledged that he would sure that they attend judiciously to their constitutional responsibilities without any distraction, saying the confidence reposed on them by the President Bola Tinubu, governors and the Apex court would not go in vein.

His words, “I want to use this medium to assure all Nigerians, most especially the workers at our various grassroots levels of our commitment to intensifying efforts to offer more responsive and responsible leadership. As administrators at our various local government council we will do everything humanly possible our primary healthcare facilities, provision of basic education and other statutory responsibilities on LGAS council will not be in jeopardy.

“We will make sure that we attend judiciously to our constitutional responsibilities without any distraction. We will also attach high premium to the security of our people at our various grassroots levels and I want also assured you that the association would do the needful to ensure the smooth running of the LGAs administration system effectively without any hiccups,” he added.

He, however, thanked all Nigerians especially within the local communities for their resilience, trust, hope, and prayers, and promise not to take their support for granted by intensifying efforts to offer more responsive and responsible leadership.

At the end of meeting, the communique issued appreciated Governor Abdullahi Sule, the entire membership of the state executive council, the chairman of traditional council the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd), and the people of Nasarawa State for the warm hospitality during the three days council meeting.

NEC, however, thanked President Bola Tinubu, the Governors across the states of the federation, members of the Judiciary, the National Assembly, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Critical Stakeholders Mass Media, the civil society, and the entire leadership of our local communities, the general public for the historic Supreme Court Judgment which granted Autonomy to the Local Governments.

NEC unanimously, agreed that the outstanding membership dues and subscriptions owed by many State Chapters are to be deducted through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to fund the critical financial activities of the National Secretariat.

The NEC appreciates all the private concerns, institutions, and corporate bodies that made valid presentations at the Council meeting on the development of Local Governments; and pledges to collaborate in the interest of the larger populace of the grassroots,” the communique added.

Earlier, the Director-General (DG), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Yushau Ahmed has appealed to ALGON to priorities the security and welfare of corps members posted to their areas.

According to him, the visit to the association was part of his effort to strengthen the collaboration with critical stakeholders for the success of their activities.

“It is our firm belief that the success of the activities of NYSC depends largely on the effective collaboration and participation of all the critical stakeholders including chairmen of area councils.

“In this regard therefore, it is the deliberate policy of the present management of the scheme under me to embark on advocacy to the critical stakeholders, which is why I am here today,” the DG added.

He, therefore, stated that the contribution of the Local Government Councils is critical to the success of the scheme because the majority of the corps members across the country are serving in the local government councils.

He added that some local government councils over the years had supported and still supported the scheme greatly in the areas of accommodations and welfare of corp members and other logistical supports.

He averted that regrettably a lot of area councils do not pay attention to issues concerning the corps members.

He urged the leadership of the association should impress on their colleagues across the country to support corps members with accommodations and provide them with welfare support to make their stay worthwhile.

The DG maintained that area councils should provide befitting offices to their local government Inspectors as well as means of transportation for proper inspection to ensure better and quality service delivered.

He promised that they would ensure that the corps members continued to intervene in the areas of health, education, infrastructures, agriculture, sanitation, and traffic among others through their robust community development service.