Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state; has declared that the era of council chairmen to operate in Maiduguri metropolis is over. According to him, the stoppage of operating in the state capital, was to enjoin the 27 inaugurated council chairmen “stay and serve” their people. Zulum read the riot act yesterday, while swearing in the November 28, 2020 elected council chairman at Government House, Maiduguri. “Your election into office has set a new dawn to carry everybody along,” he said; adding that this is irrespective of party affiliation in running smooth governance at grassroots. He said that they must adhere to the oath they have just taken to be just and fair in all their dealings, decisions and interactions. According to him, the people deserve the best from the council chairmen without discrimination. “I wanted to see yourselves as custodians of the sacred trust,” he said, while rendering service to the people. He therefore enjoined them to stay with their people and serve them in the delivery of dividends of democracy. He warned that; “Any council chairman that is not willing to go and serve the people in council headquarters, be shown the way out.” He reiterated that this is a very serious signal to all the chairmen. While lamenting operations of chairmen in Maiduguri, he said: “I don’t want to hear any complaint from anybody that the roads from here to Damasak and Monguno are not secured. “This is not an excuse.” He ordered that all the chairmen are to be at their workplaces by next Friday. He noted that the cardinal objective of creating Local Government Councils, is to bring the people closer to government. The Governor lamented that the local government system has created most of the societal problems. He said by working with the people in council areas generates confidence in the system. “This will also energize the resettlement and rehabilitation programme of returning over 1.5 million displaced persons to communities. He therefore directed that henceforth, Abadam Local Government should operate in Damasak, the council headquarters of Mobbar. While the chairman and staff of Guzamala LGA, are to operate at Gajiram, the council headquarters of Nganzai. According to him, Kala/Balge, a border council with Cameroon, should remain and operate in Kala/Balge. The Commissioner of Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele; also said; “Democratically elected leaders at grassroots, gives citizens high sense of ownership and inclusiveness,” noting that they are crucial in boosting synergy and understanding between government and its citizens
