Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara state has advised newly sworn in 16 local government chairmen in the state to shun unnecessary appointments, ostentatious living and other conducts that can call their integrity to question and hamper capacity to uplift the people in these challenging times.
Speaking during the swearing in of the council bosses in Ilorin on Tuesday, the governor told the chairmen to prioritize due process and prudence in the administration of their various councils.
The governor also charged them to give security prompt attention and design effective strategies to identify security challenges for prompt action.
He also pledged to work harder and closer with the local government councils and their new chief executives to find a sustainable solution to salary crisis at the local government level.
Governor Ahmed charged the chairmen to synergise with all relevant stakeholders to raise Internally Generated Revenue to meet their statutory responsibilities.
The governor expressed concern over the plight of local government workers, pensioners, basic education workers and other workers experiencing salary and pension delays.
“As your governor, I feel your pain. I feel your pain in the messages I receive from some of you, in the pleas of your leadership, the challenges faced by your families and the distress expressed in the public space about your distress”, the governor said.
Governor Ahmed particularly urged the council chairmen to work with the legislature to enact enabling laws where non-exist to back effective revenue drives and with Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) to exploit existing revenue lines.
“Every local government, especially those in the cosmopolitan and populated areas, has latent revenue opportunities that must be identified and exploited without imposing additional burden on the people. That is the only way your administrations can survive and meet the people’s expectations”.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Alhaji Haruna Tambiri said the swearing in was in line with fourth schedule of the 1999 constitution as amended and Local Government Law of Kwara State K33 section 20.
Alhaji Tambiri recalled that the tenure of the last elected chairmen in the state ended on the 10th of November, 2016 and paucity of fund led to the swearing in of caretaker committees.
Responding on behalf of the council chairmen, the Chairman Ekiti Local Government area, Mr. Yinka Dallas promised that the chairmen would work with the state government and its agencies in improving the internally generated revenue to meet their challenges, especially payment of workers in their various jurisdictions.
Comrade Dallas appreciated the electorate for the confidence reposed in them and promised to deliver on their campaign promises.