The Jigawa State House of Assembly has urged the Local Government Service Commission to enforce strict disciplinary measures against any local government staff found wanting, insisting that such action is crucial to prevent stagnation in the system.
Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Local Government, Hon. Aminu Zakari, made the call on Friday after a two-day working visit to the commission’s office in Dutse, the state capital.
Zakari, who represents Gwiwa Constituency, stressed the importance of discipline in strengthening local governance.
“Disciplinary measures must always be taken against any local government staff found wanting without fear or favour to protect the system from stagnation,” he said.
He also commended the commission’s efforts in administrative and financial record-keeping, urging it to sustain the pace in order to set a solid example for local government administrators across the state.
The lawmaker emphasised that strict control of financial and administrative records was vital to curbing corruption and inefficiency at the grassroots level. He further suggested a tripartite meeting involving the Assembly committee, the Ministry for Local Government, and the Local Government Service Commission to address persistent staff issues and improve administration.
Responding, the Chairman of the Jigawa Local Government Service Commission, Uba Ringim—represented by Permanent Commissioner II, Ali Jahun—welcomed the committee’s intervention and pledged the commission’s commitment to best practices.
“We will implement the recommendations and advice from the committee to enhance service delivery within the local government framework,” Jahun assured.
Also speaking, the commission’s Permanent Secretary, Lawal Muhammad, acknowledged lingering challenges in staff management and local administration, stressing the need for collaboration among all stakeholders.
Local governments in Nigeria, the third tier of government, are tasked with delivering basic education, healthcare, sanitation, and rural infrastructure. However, inefficiency, corruption, poor record-keeping, and absenteeism remain recurring concerns, particularly in Jigawa’s 27 local government areas.
