Cross River State governor, Bassey Edet Otu, has officially sworn-in 18 local government chairmen and vice chairmen to pilot local council areas in the state.
Speaking at the Dan Archibong Lodge, Calabar, the temporary office of the governor, Otu charged them to serve their local government councils diligently, just like he underscored the importance of transparency, accountability, and the ‘People First’ governance approach.
Otu highlighted key priorities for the local council heads to include community development, addressing infrastructure needs, and improving public services at the grassroots.
“Your victory is a call to action to serve the people of Cross River and deliver on your promises with integrity. We have a goal as a state, and it is important to align with this goal. We want to build our Gross Domestic Product (GDP); we want to attract investment. We want our people to live better. So, it is not a ceremonial office; it is serious business,” Otu added.
He noted also that as each local government council berths in the euphoria of autonomy, there is a corresponding burden of statutory responsibilities as enshrined in the First Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a mandate, reminding the new LGA leaders that the resolve to bring government nearer to the people remains inviolable to the present administration.
“As the closest tier of government to the people, the core mandate of every local government council is the provision of basic amenities. The accomplishment of this task shall be a litmus test for the huge confidence the electorate repose in you and a referendum on your capacity to deliver on your campaign promises.
Responding on behalf of the inaugurated officials, the Chairman of Obudu local government area, Peter Udiandeye, assured the governor and all Cross Riverians that the current crop of chairmen will not rest on their oars to bring democratic dividends to the grassroots, a position, he mentioned, has been borrowed from the Otu-led administration.
He used the opportunity to thank Cross Riverians for trusting them with the mandate to contribute their own quota to the development of the state through grassroot leadership, while praying God for the enabling grace to live up to the billing of their various positions.
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