Katsina to conduct LG elections after summit

The Katsina State Government is to organise a summit for local government areas in the state next month which will serve as a prelude to the conduct of elections into the 34 local government areas in the state.

Governor Aminu Masari, who disclosed this when he received the Emir of Katsina during the Hawan Bariki, said the summit was imperative as it would be an opportunity to open up on the myriad of challenges facing the local government areas.

He said financial reports of the local government areas in the past one year would be laid bare for all to see at the summit, adding that only five of the 34 councils could be said to be viable and would be able to pay salaries.

He said all efforts to address their problems were being frustrated by both politicians and civil servants, noting that: “We shall also conduct local government election and hand them their finances very soon.

“Every month, state government provides additional N100m to pay salaries to local government workers; the situation is creating serious burden on the state government, but the summit will specifically help address the problems of funding,” Masari said.

Earlier, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, called for more prayers for peace and unity of the country, and commended Masari’s administration for its stride towards advancing the state’s frontiers of development.