Diri canvasses national dialogue on LG reforms

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has advocated a national dialogue to strengthen the framework for local government council administration in the country.

While commending President Bola Tinubu for his interest in repositioning local government administration in the country, he canvassed a national dialogue to examine the process of LGAs creation, the structure, functions, and funding for the councils.

He made the call at a one-day forum with the theme ‘Promoting Local Government Workers Welfare: The Bayelsa Model’ held at the Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, Government House in Yenagoa.

The governor used the occasion to present checks for gratuities, retirement, and death benefits to retirees and families of deceased pensioners across the eight local government areas of the state, amounting to about five billion naira.

Governor Douye Diri, who described local government councils as a critical aspect of governance due to their proximity to the people, made a case for states to be granted the powers to create the number of Local Government Areas according to their capacities and resources to take governance to the grassroots.