Jigwa Assembly Seeks Sanctions for Errant LG Workers

 

 

Jigawa Assembly Seeks Sanctions for Errant LG Workers

 

The Jigawa State House of Assembly has urged the Local Government Service Commission to enforce strict disciplinary measures against any local government staff found wanting in the discharge of their duties.

 

Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Local Government, Hon. Aminu Zakari, made the call after a two-day oversight visit to the commission’s headquarters in Dutse, the state capital, on Friday.

 

Zakari, who represents Gwiwa Constituency, said firm action was necessary to protect the system from stagnation and indiscipline.

 

“Disciplinary measures must always be taken against any local government staff found wanting without fear or favour. This is the only way to protect the system and ensure productivity,” he said.

 

The lawmaker also tasked the commission with ensuring proper record keeping, both administrative and financial, as a model for local government councils across the state.

 

He described the committee’s visit as timely, noting that it would strengthen accountability and governance at the grassroots.

 

Zakari further suggested a joint meeting between the committee, the Ministry of Local Government and the commission to address persistent staff-related issues.

 

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the commission, Lawal Muhammad, admitted that staff challenges remained a major concern in local government administration. He, however, stressed that effective collaboration among stakeholders was required to safeguard the system.

 

On his part, Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Uba Ringim, represented by Permanent Commissioner II, Ali Jahun, commended the Assembly for its intervention.

 

He assured that the commission would implement the committee’s recommendations to improve service delivery.

 

Jigawa State has 27 local government areas. Like many states, it has battled issues of absenteeism, ghost workers and poor accountability at the grassroots.

 

Earlier this year, the state government uncovered about 7,000 ghost workers through a payroll audit, leading to their removal from the wage bill.