Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has warned public officials against diverting funds meant for government projects, describing such actions as misconduct punishable by dismissal.
The governor gave the warning while hosting a delegation of local government administrators, treasurers, and directors at the Government House in Katsina State.
The delegation, led by Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Usman Aliyu Maska, visited to express support for the administration’s ongoing reforms in the public service.
Radda reiterated his commitment to sanitising the civil service and improving efficiency at both state and local government levels.
“My administration remains committed to ensuring improved service delivery at both the state and local government levels,” he said.
The governor disclosed that competency examinations have been introduced for permanent secretaries to strengthen professionalism and accountability in the public service.
He also highlighted the revitalisation of the College of Administration in Funtua to enhance training and retraining of civil servants, alongside the establishment of three capacity-building centres for teachers during school holidays.
Radda further directed the Special Adviser on Local Government Inspectorate to work with council chairmen to provide official vehicles for heads of local government administration and directors.
In his remarks, Maska commended the governor’s reform agenda, noting that it has improved service delivery and created a level playing field in the system.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees in the state, Nasiru Wada, praised the administration’s policies, particularly those aimed at enhancing workers’ welfare and introducing a pension scheme for retirees.
The Chairman of the Heads of Local Government Forum, Mukhtar Aminu Bakori, also lauded the government for granting financial autonomy to local councils but appealed for the release of funds to enable the procurement of official vehicles and the revival of overseas training programmes for local government officials.
The meeting highlighted growing support among stakeholders for the administration’s efforts to reform the public service and strengthen governance at the grassroots level.
