Three die in Katsina accident as Masari swears in new council chiefs

THREE people lost their lives yesterday in an accident at Yantumaki in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State while travelling to attend the swearing in ceremony of state the 34 council caretaker chairmen..

It was gathered that a vehicle collided with the one which had the passengers journeying to Katsina metropolitan to attend the event.

The Director of Finance of Danja Local Government Area, Lawal Mohammed, and his accountant, whose name was not established at press time, were among the victims..

In the other vehicle, the driver and former staff of the state radio broadcasting corporation, Rabiu Shamaki, also lost his life. But his passenger, a staff of the National Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Muntari Yusuf, survived the accident and has been hospitalized.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Godwin Ngueku, confirmed the incident to newsmen.

At the ceremony, Governor Aminu Bello Masari warned the newly inaugurated transition committee chairmen to shun absenteeism or risk being booted out of office.

He said the government would not tolerate them administering their council areas from Abuja or other state.

Masari called on the new appointees to “ensure they reside in their respective council areas”, adding that the “culture of being a day caretaker chairman would not be tolerated.” He also cautioned them against destroying the existing political structures in their council areas.

He said that despite inheriting what he described as a bankrupt local council system, the new appointees “must be diligent and transparent in all their activities.” He urged them to cooperate with the heads of local council administration to develop their areas.