Jigawa Assembly Urges Strict Action Against Errant Local Government Workers

In a move to improve accountability and efficiency at the grassroots, the Jigawa State House of Assembly has called for strict disciplinary action against Local Government workers found to be negligent, absent without leave, or otherwise derelict in their duties. Though no formal list of the errant workers has been published, the assembly is demanding that Local Government chairmen and administrators enforce existing rules governing staff conduct.

🔍 What is Known

• The State Assembly’s motion follows multiple reports of Local Government staff missing from workstations, failing to deliver public services, or abusing their positions.

• The Assembly insists that enforcement of work ethics, proper accountability, and punctuality are non-negotiable for workers in LG offices.

• Members of the Assembly have asked the relevant ministries to provide breakdowns of staff attendance, performance evaluations, and to flag those who persist in violating duty conduct for sanctions.

⚠️ Why this Matters

1. Service delivery at risk: When LG workers fail in core responsibilities — such as collecting revenue, maintaining records, or providing basic assistance — it slows down public services, disturbs trust, and increases inefficiency.

2. Wastage of public funds: Salaries continue to be paid even when employees are not performing or reporting to work, which represents a misuse of limited resources.

3. Morale and fairness: Responsible and hardworking workers often feel demotivated if colleagues are seen as getting away with misconduct without penalty.

💼 What the Assembly is Asking For

• They want a transparent audit of LG staff attendance and performance.

• They have urged LG councils to apply sanctions for staff who are frequently absent without authorization or who breach conduct policies.

• The Assembly also called on State Government to support this by ensuring monitoring systems are in place and that LG administrators are not acting with impunity.

✅ What Needs to Happen

• LG administrators must follow through: conduct investigations, issue warnings, enforce penalties up to dismissal if necessary.

• There must be clear rules, communicated well, about what counts as “errant behaviour” and what sanctions apply.

• Civil society / citizen feedback channels could help flag misbehaviour.

• State government oversight should ensure that LGs don’t shield problem workers.