EFCC’s Eyes On You, Gov Alia Warns LG CTC Chairmen

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has warned the Caretaker Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas, LGAs, of the state to desist from plundering the resources of their respective councils as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is closely watching them.
The Governor who sounded the warning Monday, while declaring open a two-day workshop on ‘Responsive Local Government Leadership for Effective Local Government Administration in Benue State,’ reminded the Council Chairmen that his administration has zero tolerance for corruption.
He disclosed that his ad ministration had granted full autonomy to local governments in the state and urged the Chairmen to “intensify efforts to improve your Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, to enable you embark on meaningful projects.”
He cautioned the Chairmen against abandoning their duty posts and relocating to Makurdi town, saying “you must let the people feel your presence and let them know how you are working for them.
“You are in your LGAs to man them and not to relocate to the cities. Let the bushes and sand in your LGAs know you. Be where you must be at the right time. Let even the child in the LGA know that there is a Local Government Chairman in the LGA.”
The Governor who promised to pay unscheduled visits to the LGAs to get first hand information on the performances of the Council Chairmen, charged them to “ensure transparency and accountability in the running of the LGAs.
“The IGR or taxes of the LGA must not be diverted but deployed to improve the welfare of the people. You must be mindful of the presence of the EFCC who are beaming their searchlight on you if you fail to be transparent and accountable.
“The local governments are placed strategically to play a role in administrative processes and this must be in tandem with our goals.
“See the challenges you are faced with and proffer solution. See how you can make an imprint in the Local Government system. You have to make the State and stakeholders and everyone involved in the State proud of you.”
The Special Adviser to the Governor, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Dennis Akura
stated that the aim of the workshop was to empower Benue State Local Government Administrators to effectively fulfill their responsibilities at the third tier of government.