Take Development And People’s Welfare Seriously – Oku Ibom Ibibio Charges New Council Chairmen
…Urges Chairmen To Avoid Self-Centeredness, Dictatorial Tendencies
NSIT UBIUM
As elected chairmen for the 31 local government councils in Akwa Ibom State take oath of office to commence administration, the Oku Ibom Ibibio and Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, has tasked them to focus on development and welfare of the people.
Ntenyin Etuk, in a statement issued on Sunday, congratulated Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration for ensuring successful process for the smooth transition at the third tier of government.
The premier traditional ruler in Akwa Ibom emphasized that the people at the grassroots expect the new council chairmen to offer tangible dividends of democracy that will better their lives and improve the physical development of their local government areas.
Oku Ibom Ibibio stressed that ascension to political office should not be taken as a private concern, personal rights or political compensation but as a privilege to serve the people creditably well as expected of them.
He said, “I wish to congratulate our Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel and his administration for the milestones recorded in the emergence of the chairmen and councilors in the 31 local government councils.
“This exercise is a very important one. Local government councils connect directly with the people at the grassroots. The coming on board of the new council chairmen and their teams must be seen within the purview of development and welfare of the people and not on political jamborees.
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“They must administer their councils in accordance with the expectations of the people and the law. Dictatorial tendencies should be completely avoided. The council chairmen should always consult widely with their executive arms, legislative arms and the stakeholders in their respective local government councils on some sensitive issues that concern the peace, unity and development. They should not claim to know all.
“We expect them to team up with the State government to ensure security as well as boost the security of lives and property.
“When they involve others, there will be no rancour in the local government councils. To whom much is given, much is expected. We also congratulate them and wish them the very best in the service for their people. We call on the people to also support them and give them cooperation so that the council chairmen can succeed as desired.
“As traditional rulers, we wish to advise them at this very beginning, to know that their mission to the councils should be for the development purposes of their respective local government areas. We expect them to live with their people; I mean they should stay in their respective local government areas.
“The council chairmen should also be mindful of the importance and the very critical roles of the traditional rulers in the administration of their respective areas in terms of security, peace, community and social mobilization. They should work hand in hand with their paramount rulers and the traditional rulers’ councils (TRCs) to easily achieve their aims and objectives.
Oku Ibom Ibibio also urged public office holders, political appointees and elected representatives to be involved in the activities of their respective communities to boost development and bring succour to the people.
Ntenyin Etuk warned against self-centeredness among public office holders, stressing that if the privileged members of the society were connecting with their communities and people, the rate of poverty and underdevelopment could have been reduced.
