Billie, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Local Government Council Chairman, Ms Mercy Bassey has attributed her 29 days track record of performance to the 85 per cent women workforce under her administration.
Bassey, who is barely 29 days as Acting Chairman in Mkpat Enin LGA following the suspension of the chairman by the State House of Assembly has carried out a major face-lift of the council secretariat.
Speaking in Uyo on Sunday, Bassey attributed her success and achievements within the period to the support she has received from the leadership of the council in which women are the majority.
She explained that the top leadership cadre of the local government council like the council secretary, head of service, director of works, and director of finance, among others were women.
“One thing seems to be common among women is lack of tolerance but I have had the best of team players with 85 per cent of the key players in this administration being women.
“The council secretary is always available, the head of service is always available, even when you call her at any time, despite her distance and age; a God fearing woman who is always available to advise. The director of works, the director of finance and so many other women.
“The message to other younger women working with us is that if these older women can work as a team, that is a good statement that women can work as a team; that we have consciously registered in their mind,” she stated.
Attributing her success to planning, the educationist cum chairman said her eyes for aesthetics, and her dream to transform the council secretariat prompted her to embark on the projects.“I have been part of the system which came in December 7, 2020.
I am sensitive to aesthetics. I felt these things needed to be done. Some places within and around the council secretariat were an eyesore.
So when the opportunity came, I had to strike.
“When you have a plan, your drive is regulated. It is all about determination and planning. I’m an educationist, and the quality of a teacher must come into play.
“A teacher should be a good leader, a good follower and a fast learner,” she explained.
During a tour of the council secretariat, the Chairman said her goal was to provide a serene work environment for the workforce in the area.
She listed the facelift of the secretariat, entrance and parameter fence which now wears a new look, renovation of Ekong Sampson hall which had been dilapidated; relocation of the traditional rulers office and meeting hall from a canteen to a block donated by ExxonMobil.
Others are the renovation of the administrative block, furnishings of offices for supervisors and councillors, repair of generator and the provision of solar light for security among others.
Challenging the notion that LG councils have no money to execute projects, Bassey explained that all the projects embarked upon were based on funds available to the council and approved by the FGPC.“It is not my money.
It is from the allocation that came in for Mkpat Enin and during FGPC, it was deliberated, we mapped out what to do with the available funds after taking care of the necessary things.“So, we hit the ground running with specific projects that you have seen on ground.
There is no personal fund attached to it. It is money that came in from the government,” she stated.