In a decisive move to fortify grassroots administration, the Bauchi State House of Assembly Committee on Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs has thrown open the doors to public discourse, setting the stage for sweeping reforms.
On Monday, the committee convened a public hearing on the proposed 2025 Local Government Administration Bill, a legislative blueprint designed to inject vitality into local councils by soliciting input from key stakeholders.
Chairman Bala Abdullahi Dan underscored the bill’s far-reaching impact, describing it as a game-changer poised to entrench good governance, harmonize administrative structures, and amplify citizen engagement. The proposed legislation, he noted, seeks to cement the autonomy of local councils, ensuring they stand on their own feet financially and administratively.
At its core, the bill lays down guardrails for budget execution, mandates stringent public sector audits, and fosters synergy between government and traditional institutions to accelerate development at the grassroots.
Speaking on behalf of the state’s 20 local government chairmen, Giade Council Chairman, Alhaji Usman Randy, voiced optimism that the bill would level the playing field for more effective administration.
Meanwhile, Civil Society Organizations seized the platform to push for an extension of local government chairmen’s tenure from two to three years, arguing that a longer term would foster stability and sustained development.
As the bill inches closer to passage, all eyes remain fixed on the Assembly, with stakeholders eager to see if this reform-minded legislation will breathe new life into local governance in Bauchi State.
Sahel Reporters News
