A high-powered government delegation from Sokoto State consisting of executive and legislative arms of government are in Gombe State to understudy the legal framework guiding Local Government administration.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that delegation also examined the implementation of Autonomy for Local Government ias well as administrative structures instituted by the state towards environmental protection and sustainability.
Addressing representatives from Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Gombe State, the team lead and majority leader of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Mohammed Bello Idris, said they were on a study tour to Gombe State to unpack the laws relating to Local Government Autonomy and the administrative breakthroughs recorded by the state in protecting and sustaining the environment.
He described local government autonomy as a major issue of to many of the governors in Nigeria, hence, the need to visit state like Gombe for a peer review mechanism.
The team lead also remarked that the Sokoto State Governor Dr Ahmed Aliyu, will rather not implement the local government autonomy in the state without making consultation, hence, their visit to Gombe State to share ideas on how best to go about it.
On the environment, the Majority Leader of the Sokoto State House of Assembly maintained that, the milestone recorded by the Gombe State Government in environmental remediation is worthy of emulation hence the visit to under study the process, policies and programs with a view to replicating same in Sokoto State.
Responding, the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, represented by the Secretary to Government of Gombe State, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, explained that since assumption office in 2019 his administration has reviewed and enacted about 56 laws and signed over 15 Executive Orders to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in government business.
He explained that the laws and executive orders also covers various aspects of governance including the the Joint Projects law which allows the joint execution of projects by the state and local governments which has achieved tremendous results of transforming the LGs operations especially in the delivery of developmental projects.
The governor noted that Local Government Councils in Gombe State especially under the administration performing their statutory functions as third tier of government without interference.
On the environment, Yahaya noted that his administration has made it a state policy to explore any policy programme and partnership geared towards the protection of the environment.
The visiting delegation also received additional briefing from the Speaker Gombe State House of Assembly Rt. Hon Abubakar Luggerewo, the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Barr. Zubairu Mohammed, and the Permanent Secretary and Director General Bureau of Public Service Reforms Abubakar Hassan.
After the interaction both government officials, the Sokoto team appreciated the giant strides recorded by the Yahaya’s administration especially in infrastructure and environment.
JD
IO
SGS’ office
