BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, GOMBE – Newly elected Local Government Councils chairmen in Gombe state will face the full wrath of the law if they failed to eschew all forms of corruption in administering their respective domains.
Already, the State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has warned that relevant anti-corruption laws will be triggered to deal mercilessly with any of them caught indulging in corrupt or other unwholesome practices.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya sounded the warning note after swearing-in the 11 Local Government Council Chairmen and urged them to make transparency their watchword at all times.
According to Governor Inuwa, his administration will not tolerate corrupt practices under whatever guise and they must therefore strive to live above board.
He further told them; “You must all strive to live above board and ensure transparency in the conduct of your duties. I charge you to be fair, equitable and just to all citizens irrespective of political or cultural differences.”
The governor said his administration has successfully achieved its objectives of transforming the State in virtually all facets of human endeavours and therefore expects the new Councils’ helmsmen to imbibe an open-door policy that would raise the State to an enviable height worthy of emulation by others.
On security, Governor Inuwa Yahaya charged the Chairmen to put in place necessary measures to protect lives and property of the people, saying; “You are all aware, Nigeria is facing the worst security challenge in its history. We must therefore put in place necessary measures to protect lives and property of our people.
“I therefore call on the new Chairmen to ensure that any measures taken are fully implemented and sustained in order to ensure the security and well-being of the lives and property of the people. The relative peace and harmony that is prevailing in the state must be guarded jealously.”
Responding on behalf of the newly sworn-in Councils’ bosses, Chairman of Gombe Local Government Area, Alhaji Aliyu Usman Haruna pledged their loyalty to the Governor in his efforts to move the state forward.
He promised that they would to the best of their abilities effectively discharge the responsibilities bestowed on them to Gombe people and the State.
