By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has sworn in 17 newly elected Local Government (LG) Chairmen, with a charge to sustain the State Government’s rebuilding agenda at the grassroot level.
Otti, who gave the charge while speaking on Monday during the ceremony at Government House, Umuahia, urged the chairmen to evolve programmes that would yield measurable improvements in the living conditions of the people in the next six months.
“We have since laid the marker at the State, my expectation is that you will run with the vision and continue the work of the socioeconomic transformation of Abia from your various LGAs.
“As I had also said, your task is to solve the basic problems that have bedevilled our people in the various communities for ages.
“Access to water, basic health and education services, effective maintenance of Trunk C roads and quick response to security threats in your local communities should rank very high in your order of priorities,” he said.
Otti also expressed the readiness of the government to partner with the chairmen to drive their coordinated development agenda for the betterment of the citizens.
“It is imperative that we develop a framework of effective collaboration to be able to achieve improved outcomes especially in the areas of agriculture, security, road infrastructure, education and health,” he said.
The governor charged the chairmen to strive to fulfill their campaign promises, because “there can be no excuse for subpar performance”.
He commended the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) for conducting a free and fair local government polls.
Otti also commended the political parties and candidates that took part in the exercise for their show of sportsmanship, disposition to service and discipline to follow the rules.
He said that successful conduct of the elections had given him a great sense of fulfilment because the elected officials would drive socioeconomic development at the grassroot level.
The governor advised the chairmen to adopt a culture of openness, firmness and responsiveness in the discharge of their duties.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Chairman of Isiukwuato Local Government Area, Mr Chinedu Ekeke, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of Abia.
In an interview with newsmen, the Chairman of Isialangwa South LGA, Mr Nnadozie Nwaogwugwu, promised to align with the rebuilding agenda of the state government.
Nwaogwugwu expressed his resolve to evolve programmes that would boost socioeconomic development in his LGA.
The LG Chairmen include: Mr Iheanacho Wabara(Ugwunagbo), Chief Timothy Iheme(Aba North), Dr Anthony Nwaubani (Ikwuano), Mr Maxwell Nwadike(Obingwa), Mr Smart Iheoma( Umuahia North) Mr Sunday Afuruobi (Umunneochi), and Mr Chidi Agu (Osisioma).
Others are: Mr Innocent Uruakpa (Isialangwa North), Mr Eleanya Kalu(Ohafia), Mr Chibunna Akara(Ukwa East), Mr Dike Nwankwo(Ukwa West), Mr Uwabunkeonye Bassey(Bende), and Mr Okereke Ezearu(Arochukwu) Mr Chinedu Enweruzo(Umuahia South), and Mr Obilor Anyanwu(Aba South).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor also swore in the Deputy Chairmen of the 17 LGAs in the state.(NAN)
