As the tenure of elected local government officials in Akwa Ibom State expired on December 6, 2023, Governor Umo Eno, yesterday inaugurated interim transition committees across the 31 councils and mandated the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) to work towards regular elections at the end of the transition period.
Inaugurating the care-taker regime at the Government House, Uyo, the state capital, the governor charged them to compliment his administration‘s blueprint, ‚ARISE Agenda‘, by committing to rural development through viable projects that would engender positive outcomes for the grassroots‘ people.
LEADERSHIP gathered while some performing chairmen were retained, others including Etim Ekpo, Ika, Mkpat Enin, Ukanafun, Ikot Abasi and Etinan, were dropped for gross underdevelopment during the three years as the councils‘ helmsman.
The governor said: „To the returning Council Chairmen, this is an affirmation and testament of the good work you did, in the last three years and we expect nothing less from you, during this transition period.
“As you all know, by virtue of Section 5 (1) of the Local Government (Administration) Law, 2017, the term of the Local Council Chairmen expired at twelve midnight yesterday and therefore, stands dissolved.
„There can’t be vacuum in governance at any level, and the House, relying on Section 5 (2) of the same Local Government (Administrative ) Law, 2017, passed a resolution authorising the setting up of the Transition Council we have just sworn in for six months. We thank the Speaker and the House for this great collaboration and for selflessly doing the work for which we were roundly and overwhelmingly voted into office to execute.
„Let me state here that we have made provisions in the 2024 Budget for the conduct of Local Government Election, after the expiration of the current Transition period.
„The Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC), has already commenced the process that would lead to the announcement of the date for election of new Chairmen of Local Government Councils.
„Now back to the newly sworn -in Council Chairmen, I expect you to partner with us. You must, in the course of 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 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 relationship 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 offense.” 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.
„In addition, I want to emphasize emphatically that zoning must and will be maintained. I encourage and expect this, to be followed to the letter. If zoning does not favour you, please do not waste your time or resources to pursue an office; you will not get it.
„Let me again enjoin our people to be less individualistic and be more community-minded in their engagements. Any leader who does not carry their people along, or is seen to be selfish will be by-passed for the interest of the common good. We must let our people feel the effect of governance.
„Since I came in, I have led a government where people are carried along, where we feel the pulse of the people. Today, a mere seven months down the road, we have appointed Personal Assistants in all the wards, we have equally appointed several Aides, Honorary Special Advisers. More will come.“
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