LG chairman allocates N144m for cemetery land compensation
The Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area in Kebbi State has earmarked over N144 million for compensating landowners at a proposed new cemetery site.
The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Muhammad Dahiru-Nayaya, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday.
“Governor Nasir Idris has granted approval for Birnin Kebbi Local Government to acquire a large expanse of land behind Unguwar Dembo, near Birnin Kebbi, for the construction of a new cemetery.
“The present site is almost full. A total of 100 hectares have been acquired, of which four hectares belong to the government.
“N144 million has been allocated for compensating the landowners,” he said.
On the topic of local government autonomy, Dahiru-Nayaya expressed readiness to fully embrace the financial and administrative independence granted to local government councils across the country.
“We are fully prepared to start enjoying local government autonomy, but it makes no significant difference in Kebbi.
“Our leader, Governor Idris, has ensured the rights and privileges of local government councils in terms of finances and other necessities are fully protected.
“However, the challenge remains that six local government councils in Kebbi will struggle to pay workers’ salaries without state government assistance, even with autonomy,” he said.
The chairman, who also serves as the state chairman of the All Local Governments of Nigeria, urged councils to approach autonomy cautiously.
“Recently, local government chairmen gathered in Katsina to deliberate on autonomy. We discovered that some local government authorities would face difficulties paying workers’ salaries under full autonomy.
“In Katsina State, eight councils, and in Kebbi, six councils, will encounter significant challenges in salary payments. This is the stark reality,” he explained.
Dahiru-Nayaya commended Governor Idris for providing funds to all 21 LGAs in the state to reconstruct their secretariat buildings.
NAN
