By Lawal Gwanda
Local Government councils in Katsina State are beginning to come to life again as they embark on running development projects that impact their communities.
The councils are carrying out projects in priority areas of need as the Katsina State government released the sum of N1.8 billion to them recently.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Professor Badamasi Lawal Charanchi is currently on monitoring visits to the council areas to asses the level of work on the approved projects.
The commissioner was in Kurfi, Rimi and Batagarawa local government areas to monitor such projects.
The ongoing projects inspected in Batsari LGA include rehabilitation and renovation work and wall fencing of Community Day Secondary School Wagini at the cost of about N65M which cumulatively assessed to 50% completion and a 500 metre long drainage in Batsari town.
At Kurfi LGA, the Commissioner inspected an ongoing work of 5.7Km latrite Western Bypass road from Batsari road to terminate along Dutsinma road expected to be completed in two to three days.
While in Batagarawa LGA, the Commissioner inspected an ongoing 2km latrite road phase one from Tashar Bakiyawa to Bakiyawa town at the cost of over N12M which was assessed at 70% completion.
In all the three LGAs so far visited accompanied by his Permanent Secretary and other Directors, the Commissioner registered appreciation and satisfaction on the quality and speed of the work.
Professor Badamasi revealed that having committed to uplift the living standard of the common man, Governor Radda approved and release N1.8B to be distributed to all the 34 LGAs of the state to embark on viable projects that will earn the confidence of people in their respective areas.
He commended the three local councils Chairmen on their commitment and zeal towards utilisation of the funds given to them
The Commissioner also charged local government Inspectors to ensure maximum monitoring and inspection of projects embarked upon by local council in their respective areas and emphasized that the projects would be of continuous nature.
In their separate remarks, Chairmen of Batsari Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Ifo, Kurfi Alhaji Mannir Shehu and that of Batagarawa Alhaji Bala Garba Tsanni expressed confidence that the administration of Dikko Radda is ready to restore the glory of local government councils in the state.
They commended the commitment of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Professor Badamasi Charanchi for his support and commitment towards modeling the nature of local government administration in the state.
They pledged to ensure full utilisation of the funds given to them to embark on projects that will promote the living condition of the people in their respective areas.
