Sen. Wamakko seeks responsive reform of LG system for development

By Ado Hassan, Sokoto

The immediate past Governor of Sokoto state and serving  Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko’ (APC-Sokoto) represents Sokoto North Senatorial Distric, has called for a positive reform of local government system in Nigeria, to fast track its development.

Senator Wamakko (APC-Sokoto) represents Sokoto North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

In a statement by Bashir Rabe Mani, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Senator made available to reporters in Sokoto said  Senator Wamako made the call on Wednesday in a keynote address at a conference on: “Local Government and Sustainable Development in Nigeria” in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The statement further stated that, the conference was organised by the
Department
of Local Government and Development Studies, Faculty of Administration,
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

The Lawmaker,  represented by Prof. Musa Garba Maitafsir, said:
“Nigeria’s future development can only be achieved through a
systematic and robust local government approach. “

The Chairman of the Senate Commitee on Basic and Secondary Education also urged participants at the conference to consider practicable approach toward
positive reforms of local government system in the nation.

Wamakko, however,  traced the origin of local government administration to
Native Authority system of 1916, which he said, dealt with the issue of land reforms, among others, noting that, the survival of democracy solidly rest on a vibrant local government
system, hence the need to pay attention to its administration.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, challenged
academics to always endeavour to give honest advice to leaders on ways to move the country forward.

“It is very sad to state that many state governors
cannot pay their workers’ salaries; yet, as academics, we remain silent,
nobody talks about it at all”, he said.