This summit is a clear reflection of Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to consolidating local government autonomy,”
— Akume declared.
By Aliyu Bala Gerengi, Gombe
At the opening session of the Gombe State Local Government Summit, the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede offered a striking commendation of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective governance, declaring the Governor’s leadership as a kind of model that makes EFCC’s job easier. ” I make bold to say that if most governors were like you, I will have less to do”, the EFCC Chairman remarked.
In press released made available to Newsmen by Ismaila Uba Misilli Director General Press Affairs Government House Gombe, indicated that the summit, organized by Gombe State government, has as its theme: Local Government Autonomy, Fiscal Responsibility and Sustainable Development, and serves as a platform to assess the current state of local government administration, address existing challenges, and chart a course for enhanced governance.
Delivering a paper titled, ‘Combating Corruption in Local Governance: strengthening Accountability and Financial Integrity’, the EFCC Chairman acknowledged that while some states are under investigation for financial misconduct, Gombe State stands out for its integrity.
Olukoyede urged the LGA chairmen to strengthen their institutional capacity, resist corrupt practices, and ensure effective service delivery at the grassroots.
He warned that the EFCC remains vigilant and will prosecute any official found guilty of financial mismanagement.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Aliyu praised Gombe State for its pioneering decision to include the ICPC in discussions on local government autonomy, a move he described as a model for other states to emulate.
He noted that Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s approach to decentralizing power and ensuring fiscal discipline not only sets a benchmark for other states but also reaffirms his administration’s commitment to promoting an environment of integrity and sustainable development.
The ICPC Chairman identified mismanagement and fund diversion as major challenges but noted that leveraging technology can enhance transparency and block financial leakages.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, in his keynote address, lauded the Gombe State Government for its innovative approach to local government development.
“This summit is a clear reflection of Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s commitment to consolidating local government autonomy,” Akume declared.
He emphasized that empowering local administrations is crucial for achieving sustainable development and effective service delivery at the grassroots level. He spoke at length on the efforts of the Tinubu government to strengthen governance at grassroots level and make life better for the people through its renewal hope agenda.
In his opening address, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya outlined his administration’s agenda for local governance, a vision that predates the current national focus on local government autonomy.
The Governor detailed how his 10-year development plan, DEVAGOM, paved the way for independent, self-reliant local governments capable of harnessing their human and natural resource potentials to deliver sustainable progress.
“Long before the issue of local government autonomy gained national attention, we envisioned a Gombe where our local governments operate independently and are empowered to meet the needs of their people,” Governor Inuwa Yahaya said.
He recalled the dire state in which he inherited the local government system in 2019: “We assumed office with a system in complete disarray; administratively comatose, financially prostrate, and unable to meet basic financial obligations. This included a backlog of 21 billion Naira in gratuity payments for both state and LGA retirees, and tens of billions more in other unpaid obligations.”
Highlighting the positive turnaround, the Governor announced that through prudent management and strict fiscal discipline, all 11 local government areas in Gombe State have now achieved financial solvency.
“I am proud to announce that we have cleared over 17.2 billion Naira in outstanding gratuity obligations inherited from previous administrations,” he declared.
The Governor emphasized that the government’s policies, projects, and programmes are meticulously tailored to address the unique challenges and opportunities of each local government area, ensuring that developmental projects are both equitably distributed and strategically located.
Governor Inuwa commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for local government autonomy, which he said promotes true federalism and strengthens local government administration.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the Secretary to Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, highlighted the vital role of local governments in service delivery, economic development, and grassroots well-being.
He noted that their effectiveness is often hindered by limited autonomy, fiscal constraints, and inadequate resources, emphasizing that the summit provides a crucial platform for constructive dialogue and innovative solutions to these challenges.
