…charges them on synergy, good governance
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has charged newly sworn-in Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Local Government Areas in the state to embrace synergy among the various tiers of government, even as he assured them that he will respect their autonomy.
Governor Eno who gave the charge while swearing them in at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, cautioned them against misapplication of the concept of autonomy, maintaining that no arm of government can operate in isolation.
Congratulating the officials on their victory at the polls, the Governor commended the Chairmen for building their campaign messages around the gains of the ARISE Agenda and its aspirations, while thanking the electorates for responding positively with their votes.
Governor Eno also used the occasion to applaud the immediate past Transition Chairmen for their good works, noting that though they had short stints, they had garnered experiences that would help their political growth.
He also thanked the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC), Elder Aniedi Ikoiwak, and his team for conducting what has been adjudged as free, fair and credible election as shown in the emergence of winners across party lines.
Governor Eno admonished officers who emerged from other political party platforms to see service to the people as the central purpose of their election, stressing that they are to serve the local government area, not their political party.
To the Chairmen, he said the groundswell of support they received at the poll places a great burden on them to deliver on their promises and to utilize available resources to get the most work done to advance the people’s welfare and statutory responsibilities associated with the office.
He further cautioned them to prioritize the interest of the people above political party interest as elections were over, hence the need for them to synergize with the State Government to ensure that dividends of democracy are delivered to the people at the grassroots.
Also harping on the roles of Council Chairmen as chief security officers of their respective LGAs, he stressed the need for them to live within their council areas, avail themselves the opportunity of working with the youths, women and elders to ensure that good governance can indeed be a force for progress.
“We will not encourage visiting Chairmen. Live in your respective local government areas. Stay in your various areas of jurisdiction. You are autonomous, so stay in your autonomous communities,” he added.
Furthermore, “each of you are now autonomous in your financial dealings, which means you will receive your funds directly. But remember, we have shared responsibilities, and those shared responsibilities must be carefully thought out, how our teachers will be paid across board, how their allowances and gratuities will be paid.We will continue to work collaboratively with all of you to bring good Governance to our people. That’s what they expect us to do.
“We expect that we sit down and understand our shared commitment to our people. There is really no autonomy in governance. We all must make sure that our people have what is needed.
“Let me add here that autonomy does not mean you are running separate entities from the State Government. You are an integral part of the machinery of government, and in governance, you are expected to align your actions and policies with our Governance blueprint, the ARISE Agenda.
“To the Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area, your election and subsequent swearing in today means that the process was fair. So you’re expected to imbibe our spirit and work with the government of the state to ensure that we deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. There is no APC or PDP in governance. Let them see you as the Chairman of Essien Udim, and not the Chairman of APC. That is my admonition to you.
“To the women, we would like to thank God that you are properly integrated. Unfortunately, my dear wife is not here with us, but she has fought a good fight. Today, I am sure that from the balcony of heaven, she would look down with a smile because what she desired has been achieved,” the Governor stated.
Reacting on behalf of the newly sworn-in Chairmen, the returning Chairman of Eket Local Government Council, Rt Hon. Akaninyene Tommy, thanked the people for the massive support that saw to his emergence and other candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stressing that the performance of the PDP at the polls was not unconnected to the impressive performance of the Governor Umo Eno led PDP government in the State, as he assured to replicate the track record of the Governor at the LG level.
The Chairman of Nsit Ibom, Hon. Otobong Aaron, speaking on behalf of the women folk appreciated the leadership of the PDP in the State for the gender inclusivity at the various levels of governance, expressing optimism that the elected women will make their people and the party that sponsored them proud.