Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, on Wednesday vowed to fire his newly appointed commissioners and the caretaker chairmen of local government councils if they divert food stuff meant for over one million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across the state.
Shettima also directed the Chairmen of three local government areas of Ngala, Kalabalge and Gwoza to immediately relocate to Yola, the Adamawa state capital to help return the over 10, 000 Borno IDPs recently sent packing from republic of Cameroon.
The governor read the riot act at the Multipurpose Hall of the Maiduguri Government House during the swearing- in – ceremony of the 21 Commissioners, 27 local government caretaker Chairmen and one permanent secretary.
“Hunger is the main problem of our IDPs whose communities have been destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents; we must do all we can to alleviate their suffering and give them a new lease of life.
“Let me warn all of you, I will not even think twice in removing any chairman and commissioner found wanting in the discharge of his duties; if any body, be it a commissioner, local government Chairman or member of the state House of Assembly or any government official tampers with foodstuff meant for the poor, he will incure the full wrath of the law.
“Let make it abundantly clear, that I will involve the state security security services and the military to monitor the distribution of these food stuff, and ensure they report back to me.”
The governor, who was visibly emotional about the plight of IDPs in the state, said all hands must be on deck towards reducing poverty in the land and promised to commence the rebuilding of destroyed communities
“Let me assure you that we will commence the rebuilding of Bama with or without assistance from international communities after the Sallah celebration; the people of Askira and all other destroyed communities will go back to their communities after rebuilding”, he added.
He therefore warned the new commissioners not to lurk around the government house without an official invitation and that local government chairmen should restrict themselves to their local government headquarters.
“Going forward, I will have to step on many toes, I want to tender my unreserved apologies because definitely we have to work for the good of our people so that posterity can judge us right”, Governor Shettima concluded.
Responding on behalf of the newly sworn in commissioners and the caretaker committee chairmen of the 27 council areas, the former attorney general and commissioner for justice, Barrister Kaka Shehu thanked the governor for founding them worthy for the appointment and pledged to be loyal and patriotic to the government and development of the state.
Comments