by crossriverwatch admin
Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, has charged the newly sworn-in local government chairmen to leave a legacy of transparent leadership in government, even as they work timelessly and unrelentingly to ensure the progress of their individual constituencies and the state as a whole.
Speaking while swearing in 17 of the 18 local government chairmen with their vice, Governor Imoke said as pilots of the affairs of their local government councils, their responsibilities are immensely important for the people they serve.
According to him, “In the exercise of our responsibilities as public officials, these new chairmen have taken another firm step towards further strengthening our efforts of building a democracy that aims to enshrine and ensure the continuous socio-economic and political transformation of Cross River State.
“I am certain that in this crop of chairmen, we can draw on their initiative, innovation, creativity, accountability, determination, transparency, commitment and handwork to transform their local governments and the state into a model for socio-economic and democratic development in Nigeria.”
The governor noted that after a free, peaceful and successful local government election, the state has set in motion, the process of formally establishing government as a continuum, especially at the local government level, adding that as they assumed office, it was important to remember that the fundamental unifying factor of the continuity of government is service to the people.
Imoke maintained that, “It is therefore imperative, in the interest of maintaining this continuum that all new chairmen carry on progressively from where their predecessors left off, ensuring that projects are completed and programmes and initiatives are sustained for the benefit of our people, regardless of political affiliation or tribal sentiment.
“Fortunately for us in Cross River State, we have all contributed to creating a peaceful and conducive political environment which has bred stability, security and success for our people.
“As we approach the twilight of this administration, we must do whatever it takes to sustain this incredibly positive and progressive political atmosphere which has seen our beloved Cross River stand out as a beacon of democracy in Nigeria,” he explained.
Imoke remarked that as the last set of chairmen of local government council that he would swear in as governor, he wished to strike a profoundly significant chord which he hoped would resonate across the state as they herald the next chapter in its progress, stressing that as proud Cross Riverians, people need not wait to be called to office to ensure that they play their part in the success of the state.
The governor charged that as chairmen honoring the call to serve, they are even more accountable and responsible to the people because as the third tier of government, local government councils are the first and most tangible contact with government and indeed, democracy that the people have.
He explained that “This puts more of an impetus on you to vigorously pursue the implementation of programmes, projects and initiatives aimed at improving lives of ordinary Cross Riverian.”
The governor therefore charged the new council chairmen that as they go on to swear-in their councilors after the ceremony, they should in turn, pass on the clear message to them.
Out of the 18 new chairmen, three are women while 16 vice-chairmen are also women.
Dr. Patrick Ene Okon, Chairman Akpabuyo Local Government Area, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, pledged their unalloyed loyalty to the state government in its effort to turn around its fortunes by ensuring that high quality service was provided at the various councils.
Okon assured the electorate that they would not toy with their mandates because of the relationship between the councils and grassroots.
He disclosed that 17 out of the 18 elected chairmen were sworn-in because the tenure of the chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area will exit in January, 2014 as he was sworn-in January, 2011.
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