Bauchi Gov Warns New LG Chairmen Against Misusing Public Funds
The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has warned the newly sworn-in chairmen of the state’s 20 local government areas against misappropriating public funds, urging them to prioritise accountability and effective service delivery.
Mohammed gave the warning on Tuesday while administering the oath of office to the elected council chairmen at the Government House in Bauchi.
The governor said the financial autonomy granted to local governments had placed greater responsibility on the council officials to deliver good governance at the grassroots.
He urged the chairmen not to divert council funds for personal interests, stressing that their positions should be treated as an opportunity to serve residents rather than share public resources.
According to him, people now have greater expectations of local government officials because of their direct access to communities and the challenges affecting residents.
Mohammed tasked the chairmen with prioritising security, education, healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure in their respective councils.
He also urged them to work closely with traditional rulers, security agencies, women, youths and other community stakeholders to maintain peace.
On security, the governor directed the council chairmen to establish regular meetings with security agencies and ensure that important information is quickly passed to the appropriate authorities.
Mohammed said his administration had invested in roads, healthcare facilities, schools, agriculture and other infrastructure across the state, adding that the new council officials were expected to complement those efforts at the grassroots.
He congratulated the chairmen and urged them to begin work immediately, noting that their performance would be monitored by both the government and the people.
The governor also administered the oath of office to six newly appointed special advisers. He said their appointments were based on competence, records and loyalty, and charged them to work diligently towards achieving the administration’s objectives.
The Allied Peoples Movement won all 20 chairmanship and 319 councillorship seats in Monday’s local government elections, according to the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission.
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