Eno inaugurates Local Government Transition Council chairmen

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has inaugurated Local Government Transition Council Chairmen for a six-month tenure and charged them to execute at least one developmental project that has a direct bearing on the lives of their people during their tenure.

Eno gave the charge during the inauguration of the newly appointed local government council transition Chairmen, Vice chairmen and Secretaries at the Banquet Hall, government house, Uyo on Thursday

He said that a Monitoring and Evaluation Team has been put in place to ensure that the projects were carried out across the 31 local government councils of the state. 

Eno charged them to maintain peaceful coexistence among all manner of people, and the governor also charged them to reside in their local government council, adding that it’s an indictable offence for anyone who contravenes the law.

“Now back to the newly sworn-in Council Chairmen, I expect you to partner with us. 

“You must, during your stay in office, execute at least one laudable project that will touch and impact the lives of the people of your respective council areas.

“My Monitoring and Evaluation Team will be on the ground to ensure that, this is done. We are determined and dedicated to ensuring that we bring development to our people, especially in the rural areas, in line with the Arise Agenda.

“You are the Chief Security Officer in your respective Councils, you must ensure that you maintain peace and create harmonious relationships with your people.

“Let me state very clearly that you must reside in your respective Local Government Areas. You cannot administer your councils from another location. 

“According to Section 78 of Akwa Local Government (Administration) Law 2017; “The principal Officers of the Local Government shall reside in their respective Local Government Councils. 

“A contravention of this section shall be deemed to be a misconduct and as such an indictable offence. The definition of the Principal Officers is further explained in Section 83 of the same law. I encourage you all to get familiar with these sections,” Eno said.

The governor said that adequate provisions has been made in the 2024 Budget for the conduct of local government election, after the expiration of the current Transition period, and warned that anyone not favoured by the zoning arrangements should not bother to context. 

He emphasised that zoning would be maintained to ensure fairness, equity and even development of the rural communities.