By Lovins Yakubu
Friday, 14th July, 2017
 |
Governor Lalong
The National President of Bache Youth Movement, Cmr. Lot Adas has decried the maltreatment meted out on traditional rulers in Bassa Local Government as some of them (mostly village heads) have gone for 28 months without salaries and other benefits. Adas made this statement while speaking with few journalists recently on the activities of youths towards enhancing peace in Rukuba Chiefdom in Bassa LGA. He described the non-payment of salaries to traditional rulers as security threat taking into cognizance their grass root based and the significant roles they also play in maintaining peace and tranquility within their localities
The youth leader added that it was a shocking revelation when he realized that all the village heads (more than 60 of them) have been without salaries for years, a situation that has put most of them in precarious conditions as some are now inflicted with death threatening ailments such as Hypertension and stroke. He also said that the children of some have been withdrawn from schools for their inability to settle their school fees while some have not been able to cultivate their farmlands due to lack of money to buy fertilizer.
Cmr. Adas said the development has debased the traditional institution as traditional rulers who hitherto were look up unto with respect and dignity and also held in high esteemed have been subjected to ridicule and turned laughing stock. He further called on Governor Simon Bako Lalong to intervene urgently because of the prominent role traditional rulers’ play in the rural areas and the significant contributions those in Bassa in particular have made toward ensuring peace.
However, investigation by African Drum shows that there have been constant releases of the statutory percentage from the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to Bassa traditional Council under the period.
MORE TO COME ON THIS.
|
Post a Comment