Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday, inaugurated the newly elected Chairmen for the 18 local government areas in the state, charging them to hit the ground running.
Aiyedatiwa who tasked the new council chairmen to listen to the voices of their people, to feel their pains and to respond to their needs appropriately, stated that the expectations of the people are very high and they cannot afford to disappoint them.
At the ceremony held at the International Centre For Culture and Events (The Dome) in Akure, the state capital, Aiyedatiwa stated tasked the new chairpersons to ensure collaboration and synergy with the legislative Councils, as well as the career public servants in discharging their duties, while reminding the on the need to be accountable to the people.
The governor, who informed the gathering that the 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) have come to stay, said the LCDAs are the creation of law to further bring government closer to the people of the state.
He said, “We have a collective duty to ensure their survival. At all times, they must enjoy mutual trust and inclusivity from the parent local governments.”
Reminding the newly sworn-in council chairmen that, “To whom much is given, much is expected,” Aiyedatiwa said, “As servant-leaders, you must be prepared to innovate and be driven by a passion for the welfare and prosperity of our people. You must be deliberate about the development of your local government areas.”
While noting that the outcome of the last local government election in the state was a testament to the preference of the people for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aiyedatiwa said, “It behoves us as usual, to translate the trust and confidence reposed in us into accelerated development of the State and make life more abundant for the people at the grassroots level.”
He reminded the chairmen that the oath they just swore to was not a mere formality but a solemn promise to serve the people with integrity, honesty and transparency.
“It is a fundamental constitutional procedure which imposes on you the burden of leadership, selfless service, altruism and a sacred responsibility to deliver on the manifesto of our Party, including your campaign promises to improve their lives.
“It is never a privilege for personal gains or self-aggrandisement but a commitment to serve the people who had freely surrendered their sovereign will to you. This social contract should be inviolable.”
Aiyedatiwa further tasked the chairmen to make tangible impact on the lives of the people by providing basic amenities, address infrastructure needs, and improve public services.
He urged them to embrace the popular mantra of ‘People First’ governance approach, prioritising transparency, accountability and the needs of the citizens.
