The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed Muniru, on Monday, locked out some metro­politan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) who reported late to a function in Tamale.

He was displeased that only 10 out of the 26 MMDCEs were present at the commencement of the forum, and ordered the clo­sure of the door of the conference room to punish the late com­ers.

The door was only opened after the opening ceremony which lasted, for an hour.

Most of the MMDCEs who entered the conference room, later on explained that they attended funerals, but that did not go down well with the minister, who chastised them.

They included Sangnari DCE, Alhassan Mohammed Sorogu, West Gonja DCE, Ali-Kassim, Karaga DCE, Sulemana Zakari, Yendi MCE, Issah Zakaria, Bunkprugu DCE, Phili Larri, Savelugu/Naton MCE, Alhassan Abdulai Red, Chereponi DCE, Mary Nakubu and Nanumba South DCE, Amidu Seidu.

Alhaji Muniru said some of the MMDCEs in the region are not serious about their work and, therefore, warned that sanctions would be applied to those who failed to live up to their duties.

He reminded them that they are the president’s representatives in the districts, hence, the need for them to show seriousness in their work.

“You are not in office to only award contracts, but to initiate and mobilise the needed resources to develop your communities,” he cau­tioned.

Alhaji Muniru said most of the MMDCEs were not on top of the developmental issues in their respective communities, and that some seemed not to know why they are in office.

“There are some MMDCEs who do not know anything about their districts, any time you ask them about the district, he or she quickly refers you to either the planning officers or any other the subordinates,” the minister said.

Alhaji Muniru, therefore asked them to hold firm their positions, be serious and time conscious in their line of duties.

The Regional Co-ordinating Director, Alhaji Mohammed Issahaku, urged the MMDCEs to strengthen their monitoring units to ensure the speedy implementation of their programmes.

The second Northern Regional Advocacy Forum was organised by the Regional Planning Unit in collaboration with UNICEF.