Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has called on newly elected local government chairmen to serve their communities equitably, free from biases related to political affiliations, gender, religious beliefs, or ethnic backgrounds. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony held at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna on Friday, Governor Sani emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in managing public funds.

Senator Uba Sani reminded the chairmen of their role in fostering local governance with financial autonomy recently granted to the third tier of government. “Your allocation from the Federation Account will be public knowledge, necessitating transparency and accountability. Be available, accessible, responsive, and fair in your dealings,” he advised.

Highlighting the significance of their grassroots leadership, the governor urged the chairmen to be voices, advocates, and champions for their communities. “Listen to their concerns, address their fears, and harness their potentials. Empower the people to participate in governance and ensure their voices are heard,” he said, referencing Robert W. Flack’s words: “Local government is the foundation of democracy; if it fails, democracy will fail.”

Governor Sani encouraged the chairmen to focus on rural infrastructure, agriculture, health centers, primary schools, and sustainable resource use. He also urged them to align their efforts with the state’s rural transformation agenda, particularly in connecting communities not covered by state roads.

Recalling their campaign promises, the governor reminded the chairmen to prioritize community needs through principles of equity, inclusivity, and transparency. “You are assuming office at a critical time when our people expect a great deal from politicians and leaders. It is your responsibility to restore their faith in politics and local governance,” he noted.

Governor Sani congratulated the chairmen and appealed to the citizens of Kaduna State to remain engaged with their leaders by demanding transparency, participating in budgeting, and ensuring quality service delivery. “The people’s engagement is crucial to ensuring transparency, accountability, and quality service delivery in the local governments,” he added.