Sequel to the victory at the poll and subsequent swearing in of Local Government Chairmen by the Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prof. Sir Ben Ayade, the Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government Affairs Hon. Mrs. Stella Oreme Odey has tasked the newly elected Chairmen of Councils on the need to demonstrate gassroot oriented Leadership.
Speaking during the Maiden meeting with the Council Chairmen held at the Conference room of the Ministry, Hon Odey welcomed the newly sworn-in Local Government Executives and congratulated them for a victory well deserved while commending the Governor of Cross River State Prof. Sir Ben Ayade for his resilient towards the successful conduct of Local Government Elections amidst the present health and economic challenges caused by the Novel Corona Virus pandemic in the world. Hon Odey charged the Council Chairmen to take into cognizance the immediate needs of the rural dwellers and initiate policies that will trigger better and positive means of livelihood for the rural dwellers.
Encouraging the Council Chairmen to have a harmonious working relationship with the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, The Commissioner expressed optimism that, dividends of democracy would be felt by the rural dwellers and effective service delivery would be visible in a short while across the eighteen (18) LGA in the state. She posited that power comes from God hence the need for the Council Chairmen to place God first at the Center of all their affairs.
In his remarks the former Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government Affairs and presently the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Political Affairs, Ntufam ( Dr) Peter Ojie admonished the newly elected Council Chairmen to build solid relationship with the Ministry of Local Government Affairs emphasizing that the Ministry serves as a connecting ground between the State Government and the Local Government through the Commissioner. Dr. Ojie advised that the Council Chairmen should endeavour to pay attention to the needs of the people at the grassroot.
Imploying the Local Government Chief Executives to inculcate the culture of consultation with stakeholders, Dr. Ojie opined that proper consultation with the people would trigger a well informed decision in the discharge of their administrative duties, He also urged them to operate an open door policy which would inevitably lead to accessibility and sensitivity to the needs of the people while encouraging them to be gender sensitive in their appointments.
In the Same vein, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Barr. James Odok in his goodwill message applauded the Council Chairmen for the tremendous victory recorded at the poll despite the current Corona Virus pandemic that is raving the world, urging them to stay safe at all times. Barr. Odok implored the Local Government Council Executives to explore creative avenue of generating Revenue that would foster development at the grassroot level.
In separate Interview, the Council Chairman of Akabuyo Mr. Emmanuel Offiong Bassey and the Council Chairman of Calabar South Local Government Council Mrs. Esther Bassey pledged to imbibe a strong working synergy with the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, they further promised to create jobs opportunity as well as empowerment programmes geared towards adding value to the lives of the rural dwellers.
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