The Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area in Kebbi State said it earmarked over N144 million for payment of compensation to landowners in a proposed new cemetery in Birnin Kebbi.

The chairman of the council, Muhammad Dahiru-Nayaya, made this known while briefing journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.

“Governor Nasir Idris has given approval to Birnin Kebbi local government to acquire a large expanse of land behind Unguwar Dembo, near Birnin Kebbi, for the construction of a new cemetery. The present site is almost full, 100 hectares have been acquired of which four hectares belong to the government. A total of N144 million has been earmarked for the payment of compensation to the landowners,” he said.

On local government autonomy, Mr Dahiru-Nayaya, indicated readiness to fully enjoy the financial and administrative autonomy granted local government councils in the country.

He said, “We are fully prepared to start enjoying local government autonomy, but it makes no difference in Kebbi. Our leader, Mr Idris, has given full protection to the rights and privileges of local government councils, in finances and other necessities. The fear is that there are six local government councils in Kebbi which will not be able to pay workers’ salary even with full autonomy, without assistance from the state government.’’

The chairman, who is also the state chairman of the All Local Government of Nigeria, cautioned that local government councils must be carefully sensitive in the implementation of the autonomy.

He said, “Recently, local government chairmen brainstormed in Katsina on autonomy and we discovered that some local government authorities will not be able to pay the salary of workers with autonomy in motion. Eight local government councils in Katsina and six in Kebbi, will have difficulty in salary payment, this is the stark reality.’’

Mr Dahiru-Nayaya commended Mr Idris for providing funds to the 21 LGAs to reconstruct their secretariat buildings. 

(NAN)