Gombe council chairmen reaffirm commitment to LG autonomy

The chairmen of the 11 local government areas (LGAs) in Gombe State have pledged to uphold the autonomy of local governments in decision-making, administration, and financial management, in accordance with the law.  This was outlined in a communique issued after a two-day Gombe State Local Government Summit, held at the International Conference Centre, Gombe.  In […]

The chairmen of the 11 local government areas (LGAs) in Gombe State have pledged to uphold the autonomy of local governments in decision-making, administration, and financial management, in accordance with the law. 

This was outlined in a communique issued after a two-day Gombe State Local Government Summit, held at the International Conference Centre, Gombe. 

In the communique, the chairmen reaffirmed their dedication to good governance and strengthening local government autonomy. 

“We resolve to advocate for and uphold local government autonomy in decision-making, administration, and fiscal management, ensuring responsible governance that promotes inclusivity, participatory democracy, and community-driven development,” the statement read. 

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The chairmen also committed to transparency, accountability and integrity in managing public funds. They pledged to implement sound financial practices, including proper budgeting, expenditure control, auditing, and boosting internally generated revenue (IGR) to reduce reliance on statutory allocations.

Furthermore, they emphasised aligning local government development plans with the Gombe State Development Plan (DEVAGOM) 2021-2030 to ensure continuity and sustainability of government programs. These include policies and projects focused on education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure and social welfare across all 11 LGAs. 

The communique highlighted their support for state government initiatives aimed at improving rural livelihoods through agriculture, entrepreneurship and job creation. 

“We will collaborate with traditional rulers, security agencies and community leaders to promote peace, security, and social harmony. This includes strengthening local security committees to prevent conflicts, particularly herder-farmer disputes and other communal tensions,” the chairmen stated. 

They also pledged to support the restoration and protection of grazing and forest reserves, as well as sustainable natural resource management for rural development. Additionally, they expressed their willingness to partner with the state government on key policies and projects affecting local governance.

The chairmen further committed to working within the framework of the Joint Projects Development Council to ensure equitable and needs-based development across the 11 LGAs. 

“We pledge to translate these commitments into concrete actions, ensuring that the lessons from this summit result in measurable improvements in governance and service delivery at the grassroots level,” the communique added.