From Yakubu Mustapha Minna
Niger state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mu’azu Hamidu Jantabo has assured all the agencies under the Ministry of his determination to address the issues confronting them especially staff welfare package to be given the desired priority.
The Commissioner who gave the assurance during a familiarisation tour to Niger State Environmental Protection Agency, Labour House and the Local Government Auditor General’s office, SUBEB and Local government service commission said the visit was aimed at enhancing relationship between the agencies and the ministry.
Jantabo reassured that the identified challenges will be addressed as quickly as possible, warned that the era of paying money to agencies without positive impact is over as the Ministry will ensure constant supervision of the activities of every agency under his watch.
According to him, “The essence of the visit is to identified agencies or institutions that are strategic to our operations to further cement the already existing relationships. I’ve been council chairman for four year’s and I know areas where to experience conflicts, so we want to avoid that this time around.” he stated.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Abubakar Aliyu also assured the management of the agencies and institutions visited that the ministry will not relent untill all the identified issues are nip in the bud, while appreciating them for maintaining cordial working relationship over the years.
Also the Permanent Secretary, Niger State Local Government Service Commission, Tanimu Yakubu who seek for a reboost and symbiotic relationship for optimum results, informed the new commissioner of the enormous challenges facing the commission as burden hence the need for his support to resolved those problems.
The Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress Comrade Idris Lafene identified some the challenges of the Labour Union to include consequential adjustment of Minimum wage, non payment of Salary arrears and ineffective promotion for civil servants.
The Director Statutory and Special Operations, Lawal Adamu, who received the Commissioner on behalf of the Local Government Auditor General, Ibrahim Ahmed applauded the commissioner for the visit while expressing hopes that the appointment of the Commissioner is a begining of a new dawn to the agencies owing to his knowledge of some their challenges.
The Acting General Manager NISEPA, Halima Ndayako, appealed to the Ministry to assist in the purchase of equipment as some of the existing ones in the agency are outdated.
The acting executive chairman of Niger State Universal Education Board (SUBEB). Hajiya Fatima Jella Suleiman appreciated the commissioner whom he described as home coming and assured of the board full support in achieving the desired objectives of the present government in the state.