Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, yesterday formally abolished ‘Joint Account’ and announced that his government would be remitting ten percent of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to local government councils in the state.

The Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the governor, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement shortly after the governor swore in chairmen of the Interim Management Committees of the state’s 23 local government councils.

During the ceremony held at Government House, Kaduna, the governor, however, warned the chairmen against residing outside their local government areas. He advised that anyone of them who cannot live in the local government he has been appointed should vacate the office.

Governor El-Rufai was quoted as saying: “You have no excuse to fail. Perform and bring real development to our state at the local government level. I am using this occasion to fulfill our campaign promise, during the campaigns we said we will not hold local government funds if elected.

“Therefore, I am happy to inform you that the government under our watch has formally abolished joint account in Kaduna state, there will be no more holding local government funds hostage under the pretence of joint account.

“Added to this, I also wish to inform you that the government will do its best to be remitting ten percent of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue to the local government areas of our dear state. Like I said, we must deliver, we can’t let our people down.

“In addition, you are to swing into action and commence carrying out meaningful projects in all the wards in your council. Already there is a blueprint of proposed development which you will see and work with as a guide to taking development to our communities.

“You must take security serious, partner with traditional rulers and religious leaders and the entire stakeholders. Don’t be arrogant to your people, you are assigned to serve them and nothing more than that. We will not hesitate to call you to order if you think you will play with our people and the trust vested in you.”

Governor El-Rufai also asked that the interim local government chairmen should submit within two weeks a list of government assets such as schools and hospitals that have been encroached on by trespassers. He assured them that they will be supported by able personnel to help them succeed.

“We did not appoint you because of your religion, ethnicity or where you come from. You have been appointed to work and bring positive change,” he stated.

•Photo shows Governor El-Rufai.

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