Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has officially inaugurated the 18 local government chairmen and vice chairmen who emerged winners of the November 2 local government elections in the state.
The newly elected chairmen and their vices all emerged under the flagship of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as the party swept all 18 chairmanship seats and 196 councillorship positions.
Speaking at the event, which was held at the temporary office of the Governor at Dan Archibong Lodge, Calabar, Governor Otu charged the new leaders of the third tier of government with the responsibility of serving their local governments diligently. He underscored the importance of transparency, accountability, and the ‘People First’ governance approach.
He highlighted key priorities for the new leadership to include community development, addressing infrastructure needs, and improving public services at the grassroots level.
“Your victory is a call to action to serve the people of Cross River and deliver on your promises with integrity. We have a goal as a state, and it is important to align with this goal. We want to build our Gross Domestic Product (GDP); we want to attract investment. We want our people to live better. So, it is not a ceremonial office; it is serious business,” Sen. Otu added.
He noted that as each local government council is birthed in the euphoria of autonomy, there is a corresponding burden of statutory responsibilities as enshrined in the First Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, reminding the new LGA leaders that the resolve to bring government nearer to the people remains inviolable to the present administration.
“As the closest tier of government to the people, the core mandate of every local government council is the provision of basic amenities. The accomplishment of this task shall be a litmus test for the huge confidence the electorate repose in you and a referendum on your capacity to deliver on your campaign promises.
Responding on behalf of the inaugurated officials, the Chairman of Obudu local government area, Hon. Udiandeye Peter assured Governor Otu, APC, and all Cross Riverians that the current crop of chairmen and their vices will not rest on their oars to bring the democratic dividends to the grassroots, a position, he mentioned, has been borrowed from the Otu-led administration.
He used the opportunity to thank Cross Riverians for trusting them with the mandate to contribute their own quota to the development of the state through grassroots leadership while praying God for the enabling grace to live up to the billing of their various positions.
CrossRiverWatch Admin
