The Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Victor-Felix Idem, has refuted reports alleging that the Obubra Local Government Council is dirty, overgrown, unkempt and neglected, describing the claims as unfounded, baseless and misleading.
The Commissioner made the clarification following an investigation and verification of the situation at the council, which, according to him, established that the allegations being circulated did not reflect the true state of affairs at the Obubra Local Government Council.
Chief Idem condemned the circulation of what he described as false information capable of misleading the public and damaging the reputation of the Cross River State Government, Governor Bassey Edet Otu, the Chairman of Obubra Local Government Council and the Ministry of Local Government Affairs.
He commended the Chairman of Obubra Local Government Council Hon. Kingsley Arikpo for his commitment to the administration and development of the council, stressing that the negative reports were a misrepresentation of the efforts being made by the council leadership.
The Commissioner therefore warned those responsible for originating and circulating the reports to desist forthwith, stressing that the deliberate dissemination of unverified information capable of tarnishing the reputation of public institutions and officials should not be encouraged.
He urged members of the public to disregard the reports and always verify information from appropriate authorities before accepting or sharing claims concerning government institutions and officials.
Chief Idem reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening effective local government administration across the state, while urging the public to exercise caution and refrain from giving credence to rumours capable of creating unnecessary negative perceptions about the government and its officials.
By Mary Okon
