The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has advised newly elected local government chairmen in the state against the use of their new position for selfish reasons.
He said the interest of the people they were elected to serve should be uppermost in their considerations.
Emmanuel gave the advice while swearing in the local government chairmen at the banquet hall of the Government House, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The governor administered the oath of office to the 31 council chairmen.
They were all elected on Saturday, December 2.
Speaking at the occasion, the governor stressed the need for them meet the people’s obligations.
According to him, by voting them into office the people had reaffirmed their confidence in them, expecting that as leaders, they would interpret the visions of the administration to the people at the grassroots level.
“As Local Government Chairmen, you are the direct voice, the echo-chamber of the peoples’ issues and concerns. Please endeavour to listen to them and work to meet their demands to the best of your ability,” he said.
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The governor likened their positions to that of a chief executive of a corporation and urged them to be proactive.
He said they should devise new ways to issues and be transparent in piloting the affairs of their respective councils.
His words: “Your position is akin to that of a chief executive of a corporation, you must lead, you must apply new ways of solving problems, you must be creative, decisive, forward-looking, tough without being dismissive or arrogant and above all, you must be transparent. The people will be watching your every move and you must not fail.”
He described the elected council chairmen as partners in the development of the state and assured them of necessary support to enable them deliver on their mandate.
He praised Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) for conducting a credible election which saw to the emergence of the council chairmen as well as councilors.
He also praised the transition chairmen and their members who stood in till the elections were conducted.
He expressed appreciation to the people of the state for their unwavering commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which he said had brought development to the state.
