Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom in Uyo on Wednesday inaugurated the 31 local government chairmen in the state elected a month ago.
Akpabio urged the chairmen to perform or be removed from office, stressing that they should see their position as a call to service.
“The celebration should not cloud your sense of responsibility. Ensure to bring the dividends of democracy to the grassroots and the people that voted you into office,’’ Akpabio said.
The governor warned the chairmen against unnecessary rancour with councillors and other stakeholders in their r areas.
Akpabio advised the chairmen to make accountability their watch-word and to protect all projects sited in their areas, irrespective of whether they were state or federal government projects.
He urged them to keep the councils better than the they would meet them, stressing that good name is better than riches.
He urged the council chairmen to channel their energy to improve on the projects on ground.
One of the Chairmen, Mr Ephraim Akpan of MkpatEnin Local Government, said he would collaborate with state and federal government agencies to empower youths in the area.
He also expressed a willingness to work with individuals and organisation s to enhance economic activities in the area.
Akpan said he had created the Office of Senior Special Assistant of Empowerment and Human Capital Development to create jobs for the people. (NAN)