Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has officially sworn in the newly elected chairmen for the 20 local government areas in the state, cautioning them about corruption and the improper use of public funds.
The governor issued this warning on Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Government House in Bauchi.
He encouraged the council chairmen to handle local government resources with both transparency and accountability, emphasizing that their financial autonomy comes with a significant responsibility to ensure good governance.
“You must resist the temptation to misappropriate or divert local government funds. With the financial autonomy now granted to local governments to manage their affairs, there is no justification for poor performance,” Mohammed stated.
He also reminded the chairmen to view their roles as a chance to serve the community rather than an opportunity to distribute public funds.
“The public now has elevated expectations from you as the newly elected Council officials, especially since you are closer and more accessible to the grassroots,” he remarked.
The governor further noted, “The role of local government is no longer a venue for sharing money. We are there to tackle challenges, as we must build the necessary human capacity, trust, and confidence of the people.”
Mohammed urged the new chairmen to prioritize security, education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure in their respective regions.
He also called on them to collaborate with traditional leaders, security agencies, women, youth, and other stakeholders to uphold peace throughout the state.
The governor mentioned that his administration has made significant investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, and rural roads, adding that the new council officials are expected to bolster these initiatives at the grassroots level.
He further instructed the chairmen to conduct regular security meetings with relevant agencies and ensure that vital information is promptly communicated to the authorities.
“I am looking forward to seeing substantial improvements in security.