Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta on Monday in Asaba on Monday sworn-in 25 with a charge on them to ensure fiscal discipline.
The election , which was conducted on Saturday, saw the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won all the seats in the state.
Speaking at the event in Asaba, Oborevwori who congratulated the elected council chairmen, charged them and their Vice Chairmen to embark on viable infrastructural projects and ensure prudent management, judicious allocation of resources, and excellent service delivery.
He who also urged them to avoid wasteful spending and extravagant lifestyle, enjoined them to address the recurring problems of insecurity, poverty, unemployment and environmental decay in the various local government areas.
He explained that it was necessary for the chairmen to stay close to the people by operating from their area headquarters and warned that they must shun the unhealthy practice of running the local governments from offshore, especially Asaba and Warri.
Oborevwori, “to the elected Local Government Council Chairmen, I urge you to reciprocate the huge mandate that has been given to you by giving preference to the needs and aspirations of your people with a view to delivering good governance.
“You must discharge your duties with sincerity of purpose, impartiality, compassion, fairness, and justice and I expect you to work assiduously for the actualization of the MORE Agenda.
“As the third tier of government closest to the people, you need to improve the environmental sanitation in your communities. Our urban centres are riddled with filth as a result of improper waste disposal and poor sanitation habits of our people.”
He added,”I will like to see you step up in this regard by devising proper waste disposal measures, while embarking on aggressive public enlightenment campaign to educate our people on good sanitation habits.”
Oborevwori, who reiterated that the state government does not tamper with local government funds, said he welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling on Local Government autonomy, emphasising that statutory allocations
to the local governments in the state for the last three months remained intact.
He said as the then Speaker of the State House of Assembly, they voted for autonomy for the Councils during the 5th Constitution alteration session.
“I, therefore, expect you to hit the ground running by embarking on visible infrastructural projects that can be commissioned. You must shun wasteful spending and extravagant lifestyle.
“Let your administrations be characterised by modesty, fiscal discipline, prudent management, judicious allocation of resources, and excellent project delivery.
“As Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, we advocated for financial autonomy for the legislature and judiciary. The House also voted YES to Local Government autonomy during the Fifth Alteration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Therefore, the Supreme Court judgment on financial autonomy for local government councils is a welcome development. Actually, Delta State Government has never tampered with local government funds. Rather, the state government has often had to augment the allocations to the local government councils to enable them meet their financial obligations.,”
He also charged the Chairmen to improve on their Internally -Generated Revenue and cautioned against overtaxing especially with the current economic hardship.
He said: “Your success on this job will also depend on your ability to work seamlessly with your Vice Chairmen, the legislative arm and other critical stakeholders in the Local Government Area. Please, avoid running a one-man show.
“You must demonstrate the political sagacity to manage the local politics, and the administrative acumen to be all- inclusive to ensure peace, stability, and cohesion in your domains.”
The governor expressed appreciation to the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, (DSIEC), for conducting free, fair and credible elections and to the security agencies for ensuring peace and security throughout the exercise across the state.
The newly elected Chairmen are Emmanuel Bazim Chinye, Aniocha North; Jude Chukwunkwike, Aniocha South; Dagidi Andaye, Bomadi; Julius Takeme, Burutu; Augustine Ogedegbe, Ethiope East; Christian Onogba, Ethiope West; Monday Odigwe, lka North East, Jerry Ehiwarior, lka South; Godwin Ogorugba, Isoko North; Warri Ovoke Friday, Isoko South; Vincent Osilonya, Ndokwa East; Obi Nzete, Ndokwa West; and Isaiah Esiovwa, Okpe.
Others are Innocent Esewezie, Oshimili North; Obi Kelvin Ezenyili, Oshimili South; Isaac Aguanah, Patani; Bright Abeke, Sapele; Vincent Oyibode, Udu; Jaro Egbo, Ughelli North; Lucky Avweromre, Ughelli South; Possible Ajede, Ukwuani; Anthony Ofoni, Uvwie; Festus Ashima, Warri North; Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, Warri South and Sylvester Oromoni, Warri South West.
Oborevwori, while congratulating the new chairmen and the PDP on the resounding victory at the polls on Saturday, said it was a product of weeks of grassroots campaign in which they did not take for granted and thanked the good people of Delta State who, in spite of the heavy downpour, came out and voted for the leaders of their choice.
Responding on behalf of the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen, Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Council, Mr Innocent Esewezie, expressed appreciation to the governor and leaders of the PDP in the state for the opportunity given to them to serve at the grassroots level of governance.
He commended the electorate in the various local government areas for endorsing their candidature through the electoral mandate given to them at the polls, and assured that they have adopted the ‘MORE Agenda’ of the Governor and would not betray the confidence reposed in them.
The highpoint of the ceremony which was attended by the wife of the governor, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori; the Deputy Governor,
Sir Monday Onyeme, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Kingsley Esiso, and other top government functionaries, was the administration of oath of office on the chairmen and their deputies by the governor.
In the same vein, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa on Monday in Yola sworn-in 21 newly elected council chairmen with a charge, to be transparent and accountable in the discharge of their duties.
The election , which was conducted on Saturday, saw the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won all the seats in the state.
Also PDP won 255 out 256 councilorship seats in Adamawa while NNPP won one in Demsa Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, Fintiri congratulated the elected council chairmen, describing their victories as well deserved.
“To whom much is given much is expected, therefore, work for the people and be open to them as the era of absenteeism is gone. Always endeavour to be there for your people.
“This is not part time job, as the leader of a tier of government close to the people, they must have access to you as much as possible at all times,’’ he said.
According to him, people will ask questions and demand answers, expect performance and insist every fund given for development is effectively utilized.
Fintiri also warned them against corruption and impunity, saying anyone fund wanting would face the law.
In his remarks, Mr Tahir Shehu, State PDP Chairman congratulated the chairmen and thanked the electorates for the confidence they have on the party.
He also thanked security agencies and the media for making it possible for a hitch free election.
Bathiar Wisly, Speaker Adamawa Assembly called on the chairmen and their councilors to work together with the governor for more development in the state.
According to him, their victories have paved way for more development at the grassroots.
Suleiman Gankuba, Chairman Toungo Local Government, who spoke on behalf of other chairmen thanked and appreciated the electorates for the confidence response in them.
He assured the people of the state that they would work hard for more dividends of democracy for their people.
