By Ahmed Ahmed
The Bauchi State House of Assembly Committee for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs has taken a significant step towards strengthening local governance in the state.
On Monday, the committee conducted a public hearing on the proposed 2025 local government administration bill, aimed at gathering input from stakeholders to ensure effective functioning of local government councils.
According to Chairman Bala Abdullahi Dan, the proposed law seeks to promote uniformity, good governance, citizen participation, and institutional frameworks, laying the foundation for sustainable local governance.
The bill recognizes the crucial role local governments play in governance, service delivery, and grassroots development, particularly in enhancing local administration autonomy.
He explained that the bill addressed issues that include ensuring financial and administrative independence to promote self-governance and effective service delivery.
“Establishing guidelines for budget implementation and public sector audit and involving traditional institutions in decision-making processes for rapid growth and development,” he said.
The Chairman of Giade Local council, Alhaji Usman Randy, speaking on behalf of the twenty local governments chairmen, expressed hope that the bill would provide a level playing ground for effective administration.
Meanwhile, Civil Society Organizations advocated for extending local government chairmen’s tenure from two to three years.
The public hearing marks a significant step towards reforming local governance in Bauchi State, and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the bill’s passage and implementation.
