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The LG Caretaker Chairmen take oath
By Akanji Alowolodo, Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir on Saturday sworn in two female Commissioners and 20 Caretaker Committee Chairmen for the 20 LGAs in the state.
Speaking shortly after the appointess were administered with the oath of allegiance and office by the State Chief Judge, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, the Governor warned them against corrupt practices and financial mismanagement saying that anyone caught will not be spared.
He explained that, “It would be recalled that two Honourable Commissioners recently exited the State Executive Council. While Dr. Aliyu Usman Tilde, the erstwhile Commissioner for Education resigned on his own volition, Honourable Abdullahi T. Musa, the former Commissioner for Rural Development and Special Duties resigned to be appointed into another position.”
The Governor added that, “Consequently, the vacancies created by the exit of the two Commissioners has been filled by the appointment of Malama Jamila Mohammed Dahiru and Hon. Amina Mohammed Katagum to replace Dr. Aliyu Tilde and Honourable Abdullahi Musa respectively.”
He added that,”You have just witnessed the swearing-in of the two newly appointed Commissioners. You have also witnessed the appointment of of One Special Adviser in the person of Hon. Yusuf Garba who is the immediate past elected Chairman of Alkaleri Local Government Council. I congratulate the two new Commissioners and Special Adviser on their appointments.”
“Beside representing their Local Governments in the State Executive Council, the appointment of the two Commissioner has been informed by their track records of commitment and dedication to the development of the State, sense of responsibility and loyalty to the government and our great party, the PDP,” he also said.
Bala Mohammed further said that,”It is my hope that they would bring these attributes into play in the discharge of the duties of their new offices. I urge them to work hand in hand with their permanent secretaries and other management staff of their ministries towards the effective and efficient implementation of policies and programmes of the government. They should live above board and shun any other acts capable of bringing the government into disrepute.”
On the local government Caretaker Chairmen, he said that,”Following the expiration of the tenure of elected Local Government Councils in the State about two months ago, the need arose to fill the vacuum created in the leadership of the Local Governments.”
He also said that, “Due to the impending general elections, which would be conducted about two months from now, there is no time to conduct Local Government election. We are therefore left with the option of appointing Caretaker Committees to run the affairs of the Local Governments pending the conduct of Local Government election.”
According to him,”The Chairmen of the Caretaker Committees for the 20 Local Governments who have been screened and cleared by the State House of Assembly have just been sworn-in.”
The Governor explained that, “The choice of the Chairmen of the Local Government Caretaker Committees for the challenging task has been informed by their loyalty, contributions to the development of our great party, the PDP, and above all their past contributions to the development of Bauchi State in particular and the Nation in general. I would congratulate you appointment. on this well like to deserved.”
He declared that,”By virtue of being closer to the people, Local Governments are required to provide good governance at the grassroots as enshrined in the fourth schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (as amended).”
“Therefore, I urge the Caretaker Committee Chairmen to work hand in hand with their Councilors and Managements, and Cooperate with the Security Agencies, Traditional Rulers, Religious and Party Leaders, as well as other Stakeholders in their domains in order to impact positively on the lives of the electorate.”, he stressed.
He further said that,”Let me remind the Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairmen that the assignment given to you is a trust. You have a duty to Allah (SWT) and obligation to your fellow beings. One day you must give account of your stewardship. You should not therefore tempted to abuse the trust bestowed on you. You should remember that you are there to serve the people and not to become their Bosses.”
The Governor also said that, “I wish to seize this opportunity to emphasize that our administration attaches great importance to probity, accountability and strict adherence to Due Process in governance as indicated by our actions since we came on board as a Government.”
“I therefore admonish you to be judicious in handling the finances of the Local Governments, to be fair in your dealings with all categories of people and shun bootlickers and rumour mongers. You should also pay special attention to the improvement of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of your Local Government Areas, so as to complement what is given to you from the Federation Account,” he added.
According to him,”Since our assumption of office, we have given special attention to the provision of infrastructure such as road networks, construction and rehabilitation of schools, health facilities and water supply. Security is also being accorded the attention it deserves, which makes our State the safest in the North-East region and one of the safest in the country.”
He also said that, “Similarly, Government has put in place measures aimed at employment generation to the people through various empowerment programmes and technical and vocational training to our youths, so that they can become self-employed.”
“I want to assure the good people of Bauchi State that our Government will not relent in its effort to improve their living condition through the provision of infrastructural facilities and social amenities.”, he assured.
He warned all the new appointees that his Administration has no place for corrupt, disloyal, indolent and incompetent officials saying,”You should be absolutely loyal to the present administration in the State and be totally committed to its objectives.”
He also said that, “For the avoidance of doubt, let me clearly state that I will not hesitate to remove any official found wanting or disloyal to the Government or our great party, the PDP.”
The Governor streesed that, “As you all know, the 2023 general elections are fast-approaching and electioneering campaigns are in full gear. I therefore appeal to all political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves in orderly manner and eschew thugery and other forms of malpractices.”
Bala Mohammed stressed that,” The rules of the game must be strictly adhered to. Anyone found wanting in this regard would incur the full wrath of the law. Security Agencies are hereby directed to be watchful and apprehend any person or group of persons found to be engaged in unwholesome activities.”
