Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum okayed the immediate commencement of direct payments of monthly statutory allocations to the accounts of the state’s 27 local government areas.

This was announced by Acing Governor Umar Kadafur after presiding over the inauguration of the new council chairmen in Maiduguri yesterday.

Kadafur, who underscored Zulum’s administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions at the grassroots level, explained that the approval complied with Supreme Court’s judgment and President Bola Tinubu’s December 2025 call to all governors.

The acting governor said:‘’ Borno is the only state where local governments will now receive their allocations directly.

“This is a credit to His Excellency and is out of transparency to ensure that governance requires collective hands on the deck. He (Zulum) believes in the local government administrative process, which is why he approved giving you the money directly so you can go and work. The era of local government complaining about bureaucracy in approving funds to you is gone.

“We will continue to publish whatever is given to local government areas as part of our transparency in the state, so that you should be held accountable for every resource you have collected on behalf of the people.”

“You should be accessible to your people. You know our governor is dedicated to developing our state.

“We are looking up to you at the grassroots to make sure whatever goes to the chairman of a local government, it should be transparent and accountable for every naira and kobo you receive. Borno State.’’

The acting governor charged the new chairmen to ensure prompt payment of salaries, council workers, their welfare and the development of their areas.

He said: “You must be guardians of every naira, running every project and programme with the pillars of our 10-year strategy. Focus on essentials that directly improve lives.

“Furthermore, I implore you to focus on the security and dignity of our people; there will be no more vanity projects. I direct your immediate attention to the welfare of local government staff. Timely payment of salary and entitlements is non-negotiable. In the same vein, ensure that all workers must report to their duty posts promptly, productivity and discipline must be restored.” (The Nation)