By Umar Faruk Birnin Kebbl
The Association of All Local Government Chairmen in Nigeria (ALGON), Kebbi State chapter, has expressed its readiness to fully enjoy the financial and administrative autonomy granted to local government councils in the country. However, the association has sounded a warning that some councils may not be able to pay workers' salaries under the new dispensation.
Chairman of ALGON in Kebbi State, Alhaji Muhammad Dahiru Nayaya Ambursa, who is also the Chairman of Birnin Kebbi Local Government, made this known during an interaction with newsmen on Monday. Ambursa commended Governor Nasir Idris for giving full protection to the rights and privileges of local government councils in the state.
According to Ambursa, six local government councils in Kebbi State may not be able to pay workers' salaries even with full autonomy, without assistance from the state government. He noted that local government councils must be careful in implementing autonomy, citing the example of a recent brainstorming session by local government chairmen in Katsina, where it was discovered that some local government authorities would not be able to pay workers' salaries with autonomy in place.
Ambursa also disclosed that Governor Nasir Idris has approved the acquisition of a large expanse of land for the construction of a new cemetery in Birnin Kebbi. The present cemetery site is nearly full, and 100 hectares of land have been acquired, with 4 hectares belonging to the government. A total of N144 million has been earmarked for the payment of compensation to landowners.
In addition, Governor Idris has provided funds to all 21 local government councils in Kebbi to reconstruct their secretariat buildings, which have been transformed into modern edifices
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