Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has urged the newly sworn-in chairmen of the 17 local government areas in the state to immediately commence work, emphasizing that the local government system is an active partner in the state's development agenda. The chairmen were sworn in at Government House, Enugu, following the local government elections conducted by the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC). Mbah stressed that the promises made during the electioneering period have now become obligations to the electorate.
The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) had declared candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winners of the 17 chairmanship and 260 councillorship seats in the council election. The chairmen and their council areas include John Ogbodo, Nkanu West; Mike Ogbuekwe, Nkanu East; Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, Aninri; Jude Chinedu Asogwa, Nsukka; Caleb Ani, Enugu South; and Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, Igboeze South, among others. Mbah reminded the chairmen that their relationship with the people is a social contract.
Mbah emphasized the strategic importance of the local government system, describing it as the tier of government closest to the people and a critical partner in the state's development agenda. He said that the government's objective to eradicate poverty cannot be achieved without addressing poverty in rural communities. The governor urged the chairmen to align their programs and priorities with his administration's development agenda, particularly in education, healthcare, sanitation, agriculture, and poverty reduction.
The governor charged the chairmen to make themselves accessible and accountable to the people, stressing that they must spend their resources responsibly. Mbah also urged them to focus on measurable outcomes in education, including literacy, numeracy, and school enrollment. He emphasized the need to have zero out-of-school children of school age in their local government areas.
Mbah urged the chairmen to prioritize the welfare of poor and vulnerable residents, saying poverty eradication requires deliberate measurement of progress rather than mere political declarations. The governor's charge comes as the newly elected chairmen begin their tenure. The event was witnessed by several dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, and members of the National Assembly.
Responding on behalf of the chairmen, Barr. Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, the re-elected Chairman of Igboeze South Local Government Area, expressed appreciation to the people of the state and Governor Mbah for giving them the privilege to serve. He pledged the commitment of the chairmen to good governance and expressed confidence that they would be proud of their contributions to the development of Enugu State at the end of their tenure.
The inauguration ceremony marked the beginning of a new era in the administration of local government areas in Enugu State. With the governor's charge, the chairmen are expected to work towards achieving the state's development objectives. The key points from the governor's address include:
Key points
- Governor Mbah emphasizes the importance of local government as a critical partner in the state's development agenda.
- The governor urges chairmen to prioritize poverty eradication and align with his administration's development agenda.
- Chairmen are charged with making themselves accessible and accountable to the people.
