By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has inaugurated the Local Government Areas Autonomy Advisory Committee to ensure the smooth implementation of local government autonomy in the state. The committee was inaugurated on Monday at the Exco Chamber, Government House, Jalingo.
Governor Kefas stated that the committee’s establishment is a significant milestone in the state’s journey towards democratic, accountable, and efficient governance. He noted that the recent Supreme Court judgment declaring local government autonomy aligns with his administration’s commitment to decentralization and local empowerment.
The Governor said, “This judgment reaffirmed my earlier decision to conduct local government elections on November 18, 2023, and swear in the Chairmen on November 23, 2023. These steps were to ensure that local government areas are equipped with the mandate and legitimacy to serve their communities effectively.”
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The committee’s terms of reference include implementation of oversight functions, capacity building, financial autonomy, administrative reforms, security coordination, community engagements, evaluation, and feedback.
The Chairman of the advisory Committee, Rt Hon Abel Peter Diah, thanked the Governor for the assignment and praised him for taking steps to implement local government autonomy. He described the Supreme Court verdict as a victory for democracy and good governance.
The committee members include Rt Hon. Abel Peter Diah (Chairman), Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps (Secretary to the Government of Taraba State), Barr. Yakubu Maikasuwa SAN (Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice), Alh. Hassan Aminu (ALGON Chairman), Lilian Jonathan (Director Inspectorate BLGT,&CA), Mr. Bala Hussein, and Mr. Ezekiel Polycarp (Secretary).
Governor Kefas reiterated his commitment to service, transparency, and accountability, ensuring that the committee’s work will lead to more democratic and efficient governance in Taraba State.