IGR: More than 50 villages disserted, Says Gov Bello

By Victor Habila

Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello says not less than 50 villages across  five Local Government Areas have been disserted thereby causing humanitarian crisis in the State. 

Governor  Abubakar Sani Bello stated this when he declared opened a two day workshop on strategies for enhancing Internally Generated Revenue of Local Government Councils in Minna,Niger State . 

The Governor who acknowledged that  the workshop is apt, stressed the need for local government Councils to look inwards and strengthen Internally Generated Revenue by expanding the tax net so as to meet the increasing demands in their Local Government Areas in particular and the State in general. 

He noted that the present IGR cannot sustain the developmental aspirations of the State particularly with the security challenges that have bedeviled some parts of the State, emphasizing that while Government is making efforts to boost its revenue, it must block leakages, cut down cost, adding that it will not hesitate to do away with Local Government Staff that are not adding value. 

“As we speak we have not less that 50 villages deserted across 5 local governments now where do we get the resources to take care of them if 80% of our resources goes to those that do not add value to the system.”

“Now we have to deal with humanitarian problems and security problems all these require resources that we do not have. So the only way we can survive is to increase our IGR. 

“At the moment we have over 3,000 IDPs in Minna, apart from other local governments, he said. 

The Governor urged participants to be attentive, actively participate and make meaningful contributions that will give them more insight into strategies of enhancing IGR for socioeconomic development at the local government levels. 

Chairman, Local Government Service Commission  Muhammad Ahmed Dabban and the Permanent Secretary of the Commission Nuhu Garba Ngaski in their separate remarks explained that the workshop was organized for Local Government Directors of Administration and Finance, Revenue officers as well as heads of finance of development areas in Niger State.

They both said that the workshop is primarily to ensure proper and accurate implementation of financial memoranda, have internal control system for enhancing revenue collection by the councils, enhance capacity as well as improve the quality of participants in their respective duties among others at the local government levels. 

The Resource Person Malam Haruna Yahaya, who gave the synopsis of the workshop said the objectives of the workshop was to ascertain full understanding of revenue profile , develop comprehensive strategies to ensure enhanced revenue based of each local government and to promote transparency as well as accountability towards proper accounting for the revenue. 

He said five papers are expected to be delivered at the workshop.

Gov. Ganduje Approves Reposting of 4 Perm Secs, Posting of 1 Newly Appointed

By Victor Habila

To further consolidate effort in taking the state civil service to greater heights, in tandem with the global best practice, governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state has approved the re-posting of 4 Permanent Secretaries and posting of 1, newly appointed.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Abba Anwar , the Governor said the development “…is one of the routine processes in the state civil service. When our most senior public servants are swapped to get genuine acquaintances with other parts of ministries, departments and agencies.”

He directed those affected to keep the momentum with vigour, dedication to duty and quality leadership, insisting that, “It is your leadership style that navigates our strong public service to keep on moving in positive direction.”

The Permanent Secretaries are; Eng Muhammad Adamu Musa from Due Process Bureau to Civil Service Commission, Sani Abdullahi Kofar Mata from Ministry for Rural and Community Development to Ministry of Planning and Budget.

Others are Abba Mustapha Dambatta from Ministry of Planning and Budget   to  Due Process Bureau, Salisu M. Gabasawa from Civil Service Commission  to Ministry for Rural and Community Development, and Amina Muhammad Usman – Newly Appointed, posted to Ministry for Housing and Transport.

Governor Ganduje urged them to always use IT-based initiatives in the discharge of their responsibilities. Adding that, “In this world of technology and scientific advancement, your knowledge and use of modern ideas are always welcomed.”

​Again bandits kill 6 as Kaduna govt condemns attack on church

Suspected bandits have again invaded Bagoma village, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna and killed six persons, Daily Trust reports.

The state commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who confirmed the killing, also condemned the Sunday attack on Haske Baptist Church in Chikun LGA by bandits.

The commissioner gave the names of the six victims as Bala Gwamna, Kasage Ali, Mai Jakki, Makeri Kugu, Haruna Kawu and Ali Agaji.

He said one person, Salisu Gwamna, older brother of the deceased Bala Gwamna, was injured in the attack.

The commissioner further said it was reported to the government that armed bandits equally attacked Amfu village in Kachia LGA, in which one Mrs Rahila Dauda was shot dead.

On the attack on Church at Manini in Chikun, he said: “Kaduna State Government has condemned in the strongest terms the attack by armed bandits on a place of worship on Sunday morning in Manini village, Chikun Local Government Area.

“Attacking innocent worshipers who were exercising their natural and lawful right to assemble in worship, represented the worst kind of evil.

“The Governor sent heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and to the Haske Baptist Church.

” The Governor prayed for the repose of the souls of the slain in all the attacks. He also wished the injured victim a speedy recovery.”

He also said the partially burnt corpse of a seven-year-old, Abubakar Sarki Musa, was found in an uncompleted building in Hayin Danmani area, Rigasa, Igabi LGA.

One Saddique Umar, an 18-year-old resident of the area, confessed to killing him, after luring the boy into the deserted building in a bid to steal a phone placed in his possession.

Kaduna State Police command also confirmed the church attack in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer ASP Jalige.

He said a preliminary investigation conducted so far revealed that four people were missing which arouse a suspicion that they might have been kidnapped by the hoodlums, while two others sustained gunshot wounds.

He said normalcy had since been restored as security has been beefed up in the area with a view to forestalling the recurrence of the dastardly attack while concerted effort was ongoing to locate the missing persons.

(Daily Trust)