… Reiterates Commitment to Rural Devt
In furtherance of the rural development aspiration of the ARISE Agenda, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has flagged off the construction of official residents for local government chairmen across the State.
Laying the foundation stone at Eket Local Government Area, the Governor noted that the rural development plans of the State government cannot be fully achieved without partnering with the local government chairmen who must live within their respective local government areas.
He stated that within one month, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the ALGON Chairman must complete the flag-off in the remaining 30 local government areas, stressing that the project is expected to be completed within six months.
Governor Eno maintained that, as a matter of law, local government chairmen must live in their local government or face the full weight of the law, adding that such was necessary to enable him to share in the feelings of his people, understand their needs and device means to solve their problems.
“One of our cardinal campaign promises and our policy is rural development, and we cannot do rural development without partnering with the local Government and Chairmen of the council. When we cannot partner with them, there will be absentee Chairmen. They need to stay in their domain so that we can work with them to develop our local Government.
We thank God for a day like this, and as we lay this foundation, we use this as a point of contact to touch the other 30 local Government Areas and hope that they will quickly provide the land and make sure that the places are ready,” he said.
In his remark, the Chairman of Eket LGA, Hon Akaninyene Tommey appreciated the Governor for the initiative which he said will help to boost local government administration.
He noted that Gov Eno has recorded many laudable strides, including the Chairman’s residents project, and assured that living in the edifice would not be a problem, as he has been living in Eket since he assumed office.
Giving an overview of the project, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Frank Archibong noted that the project is a well-conceived facility with five structures including; a main building, 50 seater capacity hall, generator house, boys quarters, and gatehouse.
He recalled that during the campaign, the Governor had promised to build official residents for local government chairmen and appreciated him for keeping to his campaign promises.
Speaking on behalf of the Local government chairmen, the Chairman of ALGON, Hon Iniobong Robson appreciates the Governor for the payments of arrears of gratuities, pension, and other incentives to workers at the local government level.
He noted that it was unprecedented to have different projects simultaneously in all the local government areas of the State, and also appreciated the Governor for the envisage of chairman residents which he said promises to be very comfortable for the chairmen.
