By; SHUIABU A. GARU
Globally, in measuring good governance a number of characteristics have been adopted and are being used as best practices and standards; some of which are transparency, accountability, citizens participation, responsiveness, efficiency and effectiveness, rule of law and strategic vision. The institutionalization of the aforementioned characteristics by any government will ensure that there are significant improvement in the quality of service delivery, enhance the living standard of citizens and strengthen trust between the government and governed. This gives pragmatic meaning and credence to the popular definition of democracy by Abraham Lincoln, which is government of the people, by the people and for the people.
Riding on the numerous far-reaching and people-focused governance reforms being undertaken by the governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir Ahmed Elrufai; the performing Lere local government Chairman, enigmatic Hon. Abubakar Buba, whose star continuous to shine bright, has been consistent in championing the institutionalization of the characteristics of good governance in the local government administration. Since assuming office he has not looked back, as he has taken ownership backed by the requisite political will, for sustainability, of key reforms of the State government such the co-creation principles of Open Government Partnership (OGP), Local Government Development Plan (LGDP), Community Development Charter (CDC), and the Local Government Fiscal Transparency, Accountability & Sustainability (LFTAS) program among others.
As a result, Lere is among the leading local government areas in Nigeria driving governance reforms that are entrenching the culture of transparency, accountability, citizens participation, use of technology and responsiveness. Even though our website is under construction, we have used our social media platforms to post the council’s activities. Just recently, the 2018 budget performance and 2019 proposed revenue and expenditure budget was tweeted/posted on the official handle. So also, the hard copies of the same documents were shared at the second 2018 budget town-hall meeting to critical stakeholders such as traditional rulers, religious leaders, persons living with disabilities, media, student union, political parties, youth and women group among others.
The high point of the second budget town-hall meeting was the official inauguration of the local government Technical Working Group (TWG) for Open Budget by the Honorable Chairman, with equal number of government and civil society partners represented. The TWG co-chair is yours truly representing the government, while Ladi M Bonat represents the civil society partners. We have since commenced work with the adoption of the disbursement linked indicators of LFTAS to measure performance and the citizens tracking and reporting template to provide evidence-based independent citizens feedback.
This and much more have brought about remarkable improvement in performance of the 2018 capital budget implementation, which was attested to by the civil society. Out of the 44 projects on the list of completed and ongoing 2018 capital projects as at November 2018, presented at the second budget town-hall meeting held at the local government Chamber; 27 were 100% completed representing 61.3%, with 12 between 50-90% completion and 5 between 20-45% ongoing. This considering the scarcity of resources was made possible by the financial sagacity and probity of the Chairman, who has wealth of experience in financial management coming from the banking sector.
Some of the completed projects that have been completed and by extension giving joy to the benefiting communities are worthy of being enumerated. In the agricultural sector, there was the repair of tractors, MDGs vehicles (both in Saminaka), construction of wall fence (225mm by 720) in Sabon Birni grain store and paid compensation of land for destroyed economy trees and cash crops. As regards the area of Infrastructure there were the rehabilitation of broken boreholes along Kano road/Ungwan Bawa, electrification at villages (Mahanga, Tabo-tabo, Ungwan Mato, Kurmin Jele and Kakun Kasa), construction of feeder roads and culverts (Garu-Mariri and Kawuce/Sheni road, Tasha Alume Iya, Ramin Kura) rehabilitation of HT and LT poles (from Ungwan Bawa to Agaji, Dan Alhaji to Kofa, Saminaka to Kwanan Bauda, Ungwan to Gidan Waya, Ungwan Bawa to Mariri) among many others. The educational sector was not also left behind, there were the rehabilitation of classrooms (Sabon Birni, Ungwan Jumare, Fadan Kahugu, Abadawa, Karau-Karau, Nasarawa Jaja, Wuroko, Rewa, Isheme), Construction of classrooms (Bundu Kahugu), completion of GSS Laboratory (Isheme).
Due to lack of space to reel out all the projects, however it is important to note that the Chairman has also proven to be an enigma, as a team player and in effectively managing interpersonal relationships with both members of the executive and the legislative arm of the local government. In 2018, he has approved contracts for the rehabilitation and furniture supply for the legislative Chamber to show his support and willingness to make the work of the legislators convenient. He recently presented the 2019 proposed budget to the local government legislature for appropriation and approval, which was marked by excitement on the government and civil society side.
While the road has not been smooth due to wide range of challenges, the Chairman has proven the maxim true that everything rises and falls on leadership, especially in governance (emphasis mine). He has proven to be a man with vision on a mission to bring back Lere local government to the limelight as a hub of development, economic activities and social security. As he approaches one year in office, there are already planning processes ongoing to attract key investments especially along the agricultural value-chain to boost economic empowerment and activities that will lead to job creation, poverty reduction and revenue generation.
The most gratifying part of it all is that the Chairman has won the trust and confidence of the civil society, who while they provide constant constructive criticism, have come to the realization, and acted accordingly, that good governance can only be attained through collaboration as against antagonism. It is in this spirit of all stakeholders placing their hands on deck that we confidently project that the culture of good governance is being institutionalized in the local government, under the visionary leadership of our shining star, Hon. Abubakar Buba.
Shuiabu A. Garu
Special Adviser Administration & Politics to the Chairman,
Lere local government council.
Opinion articles published by AUTHENTIC News Daily do not necessarily reflect the views of its management or staff,but remain solely those of the writers. You can reach our Consulting Editor on 08028332521 or authenticnewsdaily@gmail.com
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