Governor Hyacinth Alia has charged the Local Government Chairmen in Benue State to ensure they deliver quality services to the people at the local level.
The governor gave the charge during the swearing in ceremony of the local government caretaker committee chairmen, held at the Benue State Government House Makurdi.
A statement signed by the chief press secretary to Governor Alia, Tersoo Kula, issued to LEADERSHIP Weekend yesterday, said the governor had earlier written to the House of Assembly requesting for an extension of the tenure of the caretaker committees to allow the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) enough time to prepare and conduct the local government council elections in the state.
The House of Assembly had on Thursday screened and confirmed the list of nominees sent to them by the governor, replacing only Mr. Timothy Hembaor, the earlier nominee from Ushongo local government area with Hon. Mvendaga Atetan.
The governor, while performing the swearing-in ceremony, charged the chairmen to forfeit excuses and diligently serve their local government areas to ensure their work reflected the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
He urged them to give their best, especially as his administration has granted autonomy to the local governments, asking them to remain at their various duty posts, attending to the needs of the local people and ensuring they enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Responding on behalf of the chairmen, the caretaker chairman of Konshisha local government area, Hon. Philip Achuah, assured the governor that they will do their best to replicate his efforts at the local government level.
The newly inaugurated Caretaker Committee chairmen are Hon. Guda Terkimbi Dennis (Vandeikya), Hon. Philip Achuah (Konshisha), Hon. Shaku Justine (Katshina Ala), Hon. Neji Vitalis Terhile (Kwande), Hon. Avar Verlumun (Gboko), Hon. Roy Terna Ashirga (Tarkaa), Hon. Agber Cephas (Buruku), Hon. James Dwem (Makurdi), Hon. Mrs Comfort Agbo (Gwer East), Hon. Henry Agba (Gwer-West), Hon. Unongo Simon (Guma) Hon. Mvendaga Atetan (Ushongo) and Hon. Iorzaa Victor (Ukum).
Others are Hon. Benjamin Uzenda (Logo), Hon. Mrs Gloria Ogebe (Ado), Hon. Barr. Philip Ebenyaku (Agatu), Hon. Ochai Alidu (Apa), Hon. Adekpe Onum (Obi), Hon. Emmanuel Agada Aba (Ogbadibo), Hon. Adugbo Idoko Fred (Ohimini), Hon. Dr. Wilson Eche (Otukpo), Hon. Onyilo Douglas Omale (Okpokwu) and Hon. Ire Arubi (Oju).