Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, has told the local government officials, particularly the elected ones, to use their offices to serve the people who elected them into office and not to punish them.
The governor who spoke in Owerri while declaring open the three-day retreat for Imo State local government officials, also read the riot act to those of them who do not take their responsibility to the public seriously.
The theme of the three-day retreat was “Public Sector Governance for Officials of Local Government in Imo State with emphasis on enhancing local government sustainable development.
Governor Uzodimma reminded both the elected and appointed officials that the public office is a calling that requires those holding them to be responsible, passionate about service to the people, accountable and ready to give those they are serving a sense of belonging.
Governor Uzodimma who said that the local government chairmen must regularly meet with the stakeholders in their domain for inclusiveness, responsibility and sense of belonging also noted that the councillors must regularly consult with leaders in their ward with regard to the needs and challenges facing their communities.
He further urged the councillors to make it a habit to interface with the traditional rulers and the town union presidents in their ward, insisting that their different responsibilities are cut out for them.
While urging them to remain focused in discharging their duties in the midst of unwarranted distractions and malicious attacks from those who may be eyeing their positions, Governor Uzodimma reminded them that they must live among the people who elected them.
Governor Uzodimma reminded both the chairmen and councillors that he had briefed the security operatives to monitor the movement of those of them who flout his directives as regards doing the right thing, living among their people and serving the people well.
The governor who mandated them to serve the people in line with the All Progressives Congress (APC) manifesto added that part of the reasons for the establishment of the Progressive Institute last year was to fashion out a think tank that can serve as compass for the implementation of the Party’s development agenda nationwide.
The director-general of the Progressive Institute, Lanre Adebayo, commended the governor for fulfilling his promise to have his resource persons train the Imo State Local Government officials.
Adebayo lauded the quality of those who were elected and appointed officials of the Local Government Areas in Imo State, noting that their contributions during the retreat showed they were prepared for the position they are holding.
In her remarks, the Imo State commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Ruby Emele, thanked both the governor and the resource persons for their contributions to the success of the programme.
The event was well attended by top government officials including the deputy governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the secretary to the state government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, the chief of staff, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, members of the Imo State expanded executive council and heads of traditional rulers of the 27 local government areas of the state led by Eze Imo, HRH Eze EC Okeke.
