Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The 34 local government councils in Katsina State have executed more than 9,000 projects within the last one and a half years, aimed at improving the living conditions of residents, particularly in rural communities.
The Special Adviser on Local Government Inspectorate, Lawal Rufa’i Safana, disclosed this during the inauguration of the new executive members of the Concerned Civil Servants for Good Governance Forum, held at the Conference Hall of Katsina Local Government Council.
Safana said the projects were executed to improve living standards at the grassroots, adding that the state government’s commitment to ensuring financial autonomy for local government councils had enhanced their capacity to deliver development projects.
“We commend the governor for his encouragement and support to local governments. The financial autonomy enjoyed by the councils has assisted them in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots,” he said.
He assured the public that his office would continue to monitor projects executed by the local government councils to ensure quality standards and compliance with financial regulations.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Faruk Lawal Jobe, disclosed that the state government had recruited more than 40,000 graduates into the state civil service.
Jobe described civil servants as the engine room of government operations and assured them of the administration’s continued support and encouragement to enable them to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
He commended the Concerned Civil Servants for Good Governance Forum for successfully conducting a tour of all 34 local government areas in the state, despite claims suggesting that Katsina was unsafe.
The deputy governor also appreciated the forum for enlightening civil servants and members of the public about the activities and achievements of the current state administration.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser on Civil Service Reforms, Usman Isiyaku, said the Concerned Civil Servants for Good Governance Forum dated back to the administration of the late former Governor Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Isiyaku commended the state government for establishing a special directorate to receive and address complaints from civil servants, describing the initiative as an important step towards improving their welfare.
On his part, the Chairman of the forum, Ya’u Hassan Fardemi, said the mass recruitment of university and other higher-institution graduates into the state civil service had helped reduce unemployment in Katsina State.
Hassan also appreciated the government’s financial assistance to students pursuing various courses in Nigeria and abroad.
He assured the state government of the forum’s continued support in achieving its development objectives.
Chairmen of Jibia, Katsina and Batagarawa local government areas also spoke at the event, highlighting achievements recorded under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration and calling on residents to support the party in future elections.
