From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna
The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has reaffirmed its determination that the association remained committed to having local government autonomy and nothing less.
National Deputy President, ALGON Mohammed Kantigi stated this yesterday after he was screened by the Niger state House of Assembly as one of the Commissioner nominees sent by Governor Babangida Aliyu, adding that “the Federal Government must give to the LGAs what rightly belongs to them if there must be development”.
According to Kantigi, “I will articulate myself of what is expected of me; I will not allow people that brought us into power to cry. I know the Chief Servant has the people at heart and will always bring in best hands to work with him. There are specific assignments he gives to people.
“We want to see if we can improve on what has been on ground. I know the LGA system and I have been playing a role as a financial secretary in ALGON in the state.
“I am one of the people who clamoured for LGA independent, we stand on the fact that “federal government must give us what belongs to us. Give us our own autonomy. Some states are now operating under caretaker which is not democratic.
“I can tell you that the Governor of Niger state does not interfere in our LGA funds, I give him credit for that, and my priority is to ensure the completion of the 10kilometres road projects in all the 25 LGAs as soon as I am sworn in as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.”
The Governor had last week sent five nominees to the state House of Assembly, including the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mohammed Danladi Ndayebo and they were all screened by the House.
