By Abdulwahab Muhammad, SSA Communication
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has directed the 20 Local Government Chairmen across the state to intensify security surveillance, strengthen collaboration with security agencies and submit monthly security reports to the State Government as part of renewed efforts to tackle emerging threats and safeguard lives and property.
The Governor issued the directive during a meeting with the newly elected council chairmen at the Government House, Bauchi, where he also emphasised transparency, prudent management of public resources and effective grassroots administration.
Expressing concern over security challenges in parts of Alkaleri, Toro, Ganjuwa and Ningi Local Government Areas, Governor Mohammed disclosed that the Presidency had approved the deployment of additional military battalions to strategic locations, including Toro, Tafawa Balewa and Alkaleri, to strengthen security operations.
He instructed the chairmen to convene regular security meetings involving Divisional Police Officers, traditional rulers, community leaders and other relevant security stakeholders to identify threats, improve intelligence sharing and ensure timely responses to security concerns.
Beyond security, the Governor reminded the council chairmen that their electoral victories in the August 17 local government elections placed enormous responsibilities on their shoulders, stressing that public office must be regarded as a sacred trust rather than an avenue for personal enrichment.
He charged them to demonstrate integrity, accountability and financial discipline in managing statutory allocations and internally generated revenues, warning that their decisions and expenditure would remain subject to public scrutiny.
Governor Mohammed further urged the chairmen to maintain proper records of financial transactions, administrative decisions and development projects to promote transparency and accountability in local government administration.
He stressed that the state’s political position as an opposition-controlled government made it particularly important for public officials to uphold due process, financial regulations and established administrative procedures.
On grassroots governance, the Governor expressed concern over the tendency of some political officeholders to spend more time outside their areas of jurisdiction, insisting that council chairmen must remain physically present and accessible to the people they were elected to serve.
He encouraged them to maintain harmonious working relationships with their deputies, councillors, traditional institutions and community stakeholders, noting that effective local government administration requires collective responsibility and continuous consultation.
The Governor also advocated regular council meetings and the establishment of peer-review mechanisms among the 20 local governments to encourage knowledge sharing, healthy administrative cooperation and the replication of successful development initiatives.
Reflecting on the recent tragic death of the Executive Chairman of Zaki Local Government Area, Mallam Mas’ud Aliyu Umar, Governor Mohammed reminded the chairmen of the temporary nature of political leadership and the importance of building institutions that can function effectively beyond individual officeholders.
He particularly urged them to assign meaningful responsibilities to their deputies, explaining that effective delegation would promote administrative continuity and prevent unnecessary disruptions in governance.
Governor Mohammed maintained that the success of local government administration should ultimately be measured by improvements in security, infrastructure, service delivery and the living conditions of ordinary citizens.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working closely with the councils to strengthen grassroots governance, address security challenges and accelerate development across Bauchi State.
ALPHAPRESSMEDIA
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