Nigerian Newsday

By Sanusi Mohammed, Gusau

The Zamfara State Government has assured newly elected local government chairmen in the state that it would no longer deduct funds from their federal statutory allocation so as to enable them execute developmental projects for their people.

This was made known by the state commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Alhaji Tukur Umar, in a chat with Nigerian Newsday in his residence in Birnin Magaji during the just concluded local government elections in the state.

Alhaji Umar noted that the local governments are closer to the people and more conversant with the needs of the people at grassroots, thus, the Zamfara State Government will give them a free hand in discharging their duties.

He also maintained that the state government in collaboration with his ministry has already created a directorate for local government project with the aim of scrutinizing various projects being executed by the local councils in the state to avoid any misappropriation of government fund.

The commissioner urged the newly elected chairmen of the local councils in the state to be God fearing in all their dealings.

It would be recalled that on March 15, 2008 local councils’ elections were conducted peacefully and the state ruling party, the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) won all the chairmanship and councillorships seats respectively.