By Margaret Oraza
The Special Adviser, Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr Ken Achabo has decried the dwindling Federal Allocation to the local government areas, as well as numerous garnishee orders preferred against the Bureau.
Achabo who said this in his office recently, while playing host to members of the Benue State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs, who were on a courtesy call stated that, even when the bureau was not a party to the originating case of the garnishee orders, the bureau under his watch has been able to deflate such orders and has re-strengthened the legal units of the entire 23 local government areas to be proactive in the defense of the cases.
A press statement by the Information Officer of the Bureau, Ahangba Ayati and made available to The Voice, quoted the Adviser as saying that despite the tight financial accruals from the Federation Account to the local government councils in the state, prompt and regular payment of monthly salaries, pensions and gratuities of all categories of workers at the third tier has been sustained in the last two years.
He also restated his resolve to ensure a sustained coordination of the affairs of local governments in the state to ensure optimal performance.
Barr Achabo also mentioned the improvement of welfare of traditional rulers as exemplified by the recent purchase of official operational vehicles for all categories of the traditional rulers in the state. He also said that on the directives of Governor Samuel Ortom, all existing vacant stools across the 23 local government traditional councils will be filled before the end the second quarter of 2021.
The adviser, who thanked the governor for giving him the opportunity to serve as the head of the Bureau pledged his commitment to work closely with the state Assembly for the overall development of the state.
Earlier, Chairman of the House Standing Committe on Local Government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs and Member representing Guma State Constituency at the Benue State House of Assembly, William Iortyom, said they were in the office of the Special Adviser on a familiarisation visit, following the minor reshuffle of committee members in the House which saw his emergence as the Chairman of the committee.
The legislator expressed optimism that the House in general and the bureau will experience a robust working relationship for the overall good of the state.
In their separate contributions, Member representing Kwande East State Constituency, Tertsegha Gbishe, commended the management of the bureau for their optimal service delivery, as their core mandate of coordination, monitoring and inspection of the third tier of government. Anthony Agom, representing Okpokwu State Constituency, particularly commended the transparency exhibited by the bureau in the process of the selection of the Ad’Okpokwu the second and urged the management to sustain the tempo.
In a vote of thanks, Permanent Secretary of the Bureau, Elvis Attah, commended the House members for taking their time out, despite being on recess, to visit the bureau for an interface and assured of the sustained cooperation of the management of the bureau with the House.
