Reduce Movements, Concentrate on Governance – Taraba Council Chairman Advises Colleagues
Echo Express
The Chairman of Bali Local Government Council in Taraba State, Hon Habila Bala Balasa has advised his colleagues to place more emphasis on governance and reduce unnecessary movements.
Hon Habila Bala Balasa
The Chairman was responding to questions regarding his modest achievements within 100 days in office during an interaction with journalists.
Hon Balasa revealed that the Council has constructed a block of 5 offices at the Local Government Secretariat in Bali through the internally generated revenue IGR.
He said the Council has also rehabilitated a 3 kilometer road at the Garba-chede bye pass at the cost of 5 million naira.
In addition, the Council printed and purchased some office documents worth millions of naira, lamenting that when he assumed office, there were no security documents.
“We will do better. Recently, the Governor released 100 million naira to each Local Government Council. We are yet to translate it into reality. We are going to call for an F and G meeting next week. When we are finished with that, we will use companies to do the work. We are going to deliver just as His Excellency wants every Council to deliver. We are going to deliver that in Bali, 3 roads, 3 culverts and 3 primary schools among others”.
Hon Balasa attributed the successes achieved within 100 days to prudent management of available resources.
“I deny myself a lot of things just to deliver. I didn’t know that Government will come to our aid. So, I didn’t wait for the government. We translated what we had or what we are getting for the people to benefit, to have dividends of democracy. What we are doing is not magic, it is just prudent management. When you deny yourself a few things, you can be able to deliver”.
The Chairman has some advice for the other Council Chairmen.
“They should reduce movements and concentrate on governance. They can do more than I have done. I don’t sleep in hotels, I don’t go into parties, I don’t drink, I don’t smoke. They should cut down the expenses of their daily lives. Then, they can be able to deliver to the populace. That is the best way to go,”.
Hon Balasa who described Bali Local Government Area as peaceful, added that he has been ensuring regular meetings with the security agencies and stakeholders on the need for peaceful co-existence.
“When we see something, we say something. We want our populace to sleep with their two eyes closed and God has been helping us. Bali is calm and peaceful. Meanwhile, we are grateful to God”.
On youth empowerment, he said some of them have been engaged by the local government through direct employment or replacements of those who retired or left through death or other means.
The essence, he said is to give the youth a sense of belonging and curtail restiveness.
The Chairman commended the Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas for releasing 5 billion naira for the settlement of gratuities and death benefits, saying the measure will assist the retirees greatly to address the health challenges of the aged and other commitments.
He equally commended the support and cooperation he has been receiving from the people of Bali Local Government Area, promising that he will not betray their confidence.
