LG Administration Is Cumbersome – Chairman

Managing the affairs of local  government councils in the country has been described as a very cumbersome task Hon. Simon Mutkom, Chairman, Rlyom Local Council of Plateau State, has observed. Meanwhile he       bemoaned his predecessors’ penchant for allegedly embezzling public funds.

Hon. Mutkon, a former University lecturer stressed that any person that successfully managed local council affairs would be capable of managing any corporate organisation.

The politician spoke as a guest on Plateau Radio Television Corporation (PRTVC) weekly programme – “Radio Encounter”. He bemoaned his staff attitude towards their duties. He told his audience that apart from absenteeism, his staff demanded for extra pay or gratification before doing the official duties they were employed to do. “I have refused to pay any staff before doing his official duty”, he insisted.

Bemoaning his predecessors, embezzlement tendencies, he emphasised that he left the university job for politics to “rescue” his people.

The chairman said over 400 youths have been trained in different industrial fields to empower them. Besides, he disclosed that his council was partnering with an undisclosed bank to secure loan. According to him, the bank will loan N40m, the council having deposited N10m. The chairman told his audience that 850 farmers in the area will benefit from the near zero percent interest rate. In his breakdown, he said 50 persons per electoral ward will benefit from the loan, pointing out that there are 17 electoral wards in the council. He further stated that 89 boreholes, one per polling unit, have been sunk across the council.

Though, he lamented the council’s poor revenue profile, but he stated that plans were on to build a four bedroom flat each for the traditional rulers in the area.