Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has directed the 20 local government chairmen in the state to submit monthly security reports as part of efforts to strengthen surveillance and address emerging security threats.
The governor gave the directive during a meeting with the newly elected council chairmen at the Government House, Bauchi, where he charged them to improve collaboration with security agencies and take greater responsibility for the safety of residents.
Mohammed expressed concern over security challenges in parts of Alkaleri, Toro, Ganjuwa and Ningi local government areas, disclosing that the Presidency had approved the deployment of additional military battalions to strategic locations, including Toro, Tafawa Balewa and Alkaleri.
He urged the chairmen to hold regular security meetings with Divisional Police Officers, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen intelligence gathering and ensure prompt responses to threats.
The governor also reminded the council chairmen that their election in the August 17 local government polls came with the responsibility of serving the people, warning them against treating public office as an avenue for personal enrichment.
He charged them to demonstrate transparency, integrity and financial discipline in the management of statutory allocations and internally generated revenue, stressing that their spending and administrative decisions must be open to public scrutiny.
Mohammed further directed the council leaders to maintain proper records of financial transactions, official decisions and development projects to promote accountability in local government administration.
He said the state's position as an opposition-controlled government made it necessary for public officials to strictly observe financial regulations, due process and established administrative procedures.
On grassroots administration, the governor criticised the practice of elected officials spending much of their time outside their areas of jurisdiction, insisting that council chairmen must remain accessible to residents and understand their needs.
He also urged them to maintain cordial working relationships with their deputies, councillors, traditional rulers and other community stakeholders, adding that effective governance required consultation and collective responsibility.
Mohammed called for regular council meetings and peer-review arrangements among the 20 local governments to encourage the exchange of ideas and adoption of successful development initiatives.
Referring to the recent death of the Zaki Local Government Chairman, Mallam Mas’ud Aliyu Umar, the governor reminded the chairmen that political positions were temporary, urging them to build strong institutions capable of sustaining governance beyond individual officeholders.
He specifically advised them to delegate responsibilities to their deputies to ensure continuity in administration and prevent disruptions whenever they were unavailable.
The governor said the performance of local governments should be judged by their impact on security, infrastructure, public services and the living conditions of residents.
He reaffirmed his administration's readiness to work with the councils to strengthen grassroots governance, improve security and accelerate development across the state.
Bauchi gov directs LG chairmen to submit monthly security reports