PESHAWAR, March 23: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain has said the local governments’ system is based on mutual consultation and demands complete cohesion and unity among its tiers.

It has now become the core responsibility of the councillors and the Nazims to make joint efforts to serve the people with full devotion and honesty, he said, while talking to a delegation of 33 district councillors, who called on him at the Governor House here on Saturday.

“The government earnestly desires to make this system fully strengthened and stable with the sole aim that not only the rights of the people are protected but transparency in the utilization of the public resources is also ensured.”  

The governor warned that “misuse of powers from any quarter will cause serious repercussions in future.” He said distribution of resources on the basis of “personal likes and dislikes” would not be tolerated.

He called upon the local bodies’ representatives to give priority to those schemes and projects, which could benefit the maximum number of people.

He observed that in order to have direct contacts with the people, the councillors had to play a very sensitive role and that they must focus their attention on redressing the public grievances. He warned the Nazims against launching any projects without the consultation and approval of their respective assemblies.

The governor said instructions had already been issued to include the councillors in the management committees of the schools and the health institutions.

The councillors apprised the governor of their problems.

The provincial minister for education, information and culture, Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gilani, district Nazim Azam Afridi, Local Government and Roral Development Secretary Iftikhar Ahmad and District Coordination Officer Tariq Rafique attended the meeting.