Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has called on newly elected local government chairmen to prioritize transparency, equity, and accountability in their administration. Addressing the chairmen during their swearing-in ceremony held Friday at the Council Chambers of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, Sani emphasized the importance of fair governance and commitment to the people.
The governor reminded the 23 new local government leaders of their responsibilities, particularly as they assume office under the newly granted financial autonomy for the third tier of government. “Your allocation from the Federation Account will be public knowledge, necessitating transparency and accountability,” Governor Sani said. “Be available, accessible, responsive, and fair in your dealings.”
Sani urged the chairmen to ensure that the benefits of governance are shared fairly, without discrimination based on political affiliation, gender, religion, or ethnicity. He described local government leaders as the closest representatives to the people, emphasizing their roles as advocates and champions of their communities.
“Listen to their concerns, address their fears, and harness their potential,” the governor advised, adding, “Empower the people to participate in governance and ensure their voices are heard. In the words of Robert W. Flack: ‘Local government is the foundation of democracy; if it fails, democracy will fail.’”
Governor Sani outlined key areas for the chairmen to address, including rural infrastructure development, agricultural support, the upgrading of health centers and primary schools, and the enhancement of economic and social services. He reminded them of their commitment to these priorities during their campaigns, urging them to lead with inclusivity, transparency, and accountability.
The governor also called on the people of Kaduna State to actively participate in governance by holding their leaders accountable, engaging in the budgeting process, and demanding quality service delivery. “Your engagement is crucial to ensuring transparency, accountability, and quality service delivery in the local governments,” he noted.
The event saw attendance from prominent leaders, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abas; the Minister of Environment, Abas Balarabe; the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; and the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Alhassan Doguwa.
