Zamfara governor swears in new local government chairmen

Governor Dauda Lawal has inaugurated the newly elected local government chairmen in Zamfara State, urging them to prioritise the welfare of their constituents and ensure equitable distribution of development projects.

The swearing-in ceremony followed elections conducted by the Zamfara State Independent Electoral Commission (ZASIEC), which declared candidates of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) winners across the 14 local government areas.

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Speaking during the event on Sunday, Governor Lawal commended ZASIEC for organising what he described as free, fair, and credible elections. He emphasised the critical role of local governments in bringing governance closer to the people and addressing pressing socio-economic and security challenges.

Governor Lawal outlined his expectations of the new chairmen, stating, “Your election is a call to service. Prioritise the welfare of your people and ensure fairness in distributing development projects. This should be achieved by leveraging the administration’s social investment programmes to create employment opportunities and curb crimes in the state.”

The governor also stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in managing public resources, urging the new leaders to align their policies with the administration’s six priority areas: security, education, agriculture and food security, economic growth, health, and infrastructural development.

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Governor Lawal highlighted the need for collaboration between the state and local governments. “You are not separate entities from the state government but integral parts of the machinery of governance. Establish effective communication channels to understand the needs of the people and ensure no segment of society is left behind, particularly the vulnerable,” he said.

The governor also encouraged the chairmen to adopt a culture of financial transparency, with meticulous record-keeping and regular audits to build public trust.

The governor underscored the importance of grassroots governance in fostering development, especially in light of the state’s socio-economic and security challenges. He expressed confidence that the new leaders would work diligently to complement the administration’s efforts in advancing Zamfara’s growth trajectory.

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The swearing-in marks the beginning of a new chapter for Zamfara’s local councils, with the administration’s focus firmly set on addressing the pressing needs of the state’s people.