Following the dissolution of Local Government Councils by the Akwa Ibom
State House of Assembly, Governor Udom Emmanuel has inaugurated a
Transition Committee to oversee the affairs of the area councils. The
Transition Committee for each of the area Councils has nine members
including Chairman and a Secretary.
The Governor while inaugurating the Committee, charged members to work in
accordance with the constitutional provisions that created Local
governments by brining government and development closer to the people.
The State Governor justified inclusion of past Council Chairmen in the
committee on the need for them to boost grassroots government with their
wealth of experience. He remarked that it is not possible for everybody to
benefit in appointment and urged the transition chairmen to liaise with
Elders of their localities and nominate people to be sent to Israel for
training in various vocations, stressing that his government is concerned
with empowerment rather than appointment.
He however, decried the current trend of abdication of responsibilities by
some Council Chairmen, stressing that some of them only show up in offices
when allocation comes to the council and advised them to be alive to their
responsibilities. He warned the Chairmen not to embark on capital
projects but should inject governance into their areas by providing
quality services that touch on the lives of the people such as road
rehabilitation, primary healthcare services, rural electrification as well
as protection of government facilities from vandalisation.
While appreciating the immediate past council members for their selfless
services, Governor Emmanuel advised the incoming counterparts to see their
appointments as a call to service rather than a reward for political
patronage. He congratulated them and wished them a smooth tenure of
office.