Politics
Gov. Otti charges elected LG chairmen to be responsible to developmental needs of their communities
Following successful Local Government elections conducted in Abia state last Saturday, Governor Alex Otti, Monday, swore-in the 17 elected chairmen and their deputies at the Banquette Hall, Government House, Umuahia , with a charge to be responsible to the developmental needs of their rural communities.
Speaking after the swearing-in and the administration of the Oath of Office, Otti admonished the elected LGA chief executives officers (given the title of Mayors and who emerged from different political platforms), to toe the developmental strides of the present administration by considering Abia state first.
He urged them to shun all those vices that had dragged the development of Abia state behind for 23 years of its creation in 1991.
He declared: “We must do our best to bring a permanent closure to certain challenges that have held our communities for ages. You must repair and reconstruct the trunk “C” roads, give the people water and amenities, etc, etc.
“There are a few challenges that we must effectively tackle in short and medium terms including access to portable water, quality basic education, electricity for homes and businesses , affordable transportation, quality road networks including safe and secure neighbourhood”.
Governor Otti, who said that the new Council functionaries are expected to take full responsibility for the development of their areas, warned that they should not fail Abians as there should be no excuse for low performance.
“We have to embrace the fact that we are in leadership to solve problems, uplift people and use the privilege of government to give everyone a chance to live,” he said.
Governor Otti stressed the need for the new functionaries to reach out to various stakeholders in the their localities and especially work together with those who contested with them, but lost, as long as they have good ideas that would bring development to the state.
“One thing I will encourage you, who will take over the executive seats across the 17 LGAs, is to begin to reach out to our friends who did not make it,” he said.
“Bring everyone together and make it known to them that you are willing to listen to their developmental ideas and work with that”.
Otti congratulated them on their emergence and appreciated the Abia state Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC), for conducting a free and fair elections as well as thanked other contestants for their spirit of sportsmanship.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Mayor for Isuikwuato Local Government Area, Mr. Chinedu Ekeke, described their emergence as a rare honour to serve the people of the State.
He said that they are mindful of the enomous task ahead of them, but assured that they would perform accordingly and promised that they are going to follow the template of Governor Alex Otti.