Governor Ahmed Aliyu has warned the 23 newly elected local government council chairmen against acts of truancy and corruption.

Mr Aliyu gave the warning at the swearing-in of the chairmen in Sokoto and advised them not to run their councils from outside the local government areas.

This is contained in a statement by the chief press secretary to the governor, Abubakar Bawa, issued to the journalists on Tuesday in Sokoto.

“Gone are the days when local government chairmen would abandon their domains for hotel rooms. Any local government chairman found flouting these directives would be dealt with severely,” he warned.

Mr Aliyu further directed the chairmen to ensure regular meetings with the relevant security agencies in their areas to devise strategies to tackle security challenges.

“Remember that tackling security challenges is one of our ‘Nine-point Smart Agenda’. So give security all the desired attention,” he added.

Mr Aliyu also restated his administration’s determination to fully secure the state and called on communities to sustain support and prayers for the government.

The governor also directed the chairmen to immediately comply with the Code of Conduct Laws by declaring their assets.

He urged them to improve internally generated revenue in their councils in order to have enough funds to provide social amenities for the people. The governor also advised the chairmen against unlawful spending of public funds, adding that his administration had zero tolerance for corruption.

Speaking at the event, the commissioner for local governments and community development, Ibrahim Dadi-Adare, said an induction training would be organised for the chairmen to acquaint them with the workings of the local government councils.

On Monday, the Sokoto State Independent Electoral Commission chairman, Suleiman Aliyu, declared and returned 23 APC candidates as winners in the local government area election held on September 21.

The SIEC chairman subsequently issued them Certificates of Return. 

(NAN)