Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, yesterday read the riot act to the state's newly appointed 27 local governments' caretaker chairmen, warning them not to misuse public funds, as anybody found wanting, would face the full wrath of the law.
Governor Shettima handed down the warning while swearing in the caretaker chairmen at the multi-purpose hall of the Government House, Maiduguri. He said their appointment was based on the power vested in him by the section 3 (2) of the Borno State Local Government Law 2005 (as amended).
He commended the efforts of the state House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the list of names submitted to it. He said; "This government will not tolerate any misuse of public resources and therefore, I appeal to you to justify the confidence reposed in you by the government.
I wish to call on all local government staff to give their chairmen all the necessary support and cooperation to enable them discharge their duties effectively.
"I will personally monitor the activities of the local governments to ensure that you operate within the confines of the law and establish good governance at the grassroots, as this tier of government is the closest to the people," the governor said.
Shettima also said that the government has set up two committees to settle local government staff emoluments and pension entitlements, adding that government will soon implement the N18, 000 minimum wage for local government workers across the 27 local government areas. He said government therefore expects a reciprocal action from them by being dedicated to their duties.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Kaka Bashir Garbai, called on the newly appointed chairmen to work towards achieving the vision of the Governor Kashim Shettima's administration.
He said the ministry will continue to closely work with the chairmen of the 27 local government areas to provide dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots and called on the people at the grassroots level to cooperate with their chairmen.
Speaking on behalf of the newly appointed chairmen, the Chairman of the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, MMC, Alhaji Kadiri Rahis, thanked Governor Shettima for the opportunity given them and promised that they will justify the confidence reposed in them.
Rahis said they will work hard towards the achievement of the goals and vision of the administration and that they will carry everybody along in discharging their duties to the people at the grassroots so as to collectively provide the dividends of democracy to them.
National Mirror