Muhammad Ambursa, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kebbi State Chapter, has urged caution in the nationwide implementation of local government autonomy. Speaking to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, he emphasized that some local governments might struggle to pay workers’ salaries without the support of state governments.
Ambursa, who also serves as the Chairman of Birnin Kebbi Local Government, acknowledged the potential benefits of local government autonomy but highlighted the financial challenges faced by councils with limited resources. He noted that Kebbi State has not experienced significant difficulties with autonomy due to Governor Idris’s commitment to protecting the rights and privileges of councils.
However, Ambursa expressed concern about the financial strain on local governments, particularly in Kebbi. He revealed that six local government councils in the state would find it challenging to pay workers’ salaries without state assistance. He urged that autonomy be implemented with sensitivity to these financial realities.
The ALGON Chairman also pointed to similar challenges in neighboring states such as Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto. A recent meeting of local government chairmen in Katsina highlighted that many councils in these regions are struggling under autonomy.
Despite these concerns, Ambursa commended Governor Idris’s commitment to infrastructure development in Kebbi. He praised the governor for providing funds to all 21 local councils to reconstruct their secretariat buildings, transforming them into modern structures that demonstrate the state’s dedication to good governance and development.
