Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has inaugurated the newly-elected chairmen of the 17 local government areas of the state and their deputies with a charge on them to be transparent in discharging their duties.
He also charged them to lead with utmost sense of accountability, probity, and humaneness, saying that “in very difficult economic times like this, your government must wear a human face and work to lift our people out of poverty”.
The governor urged them to execute the constitutional responsibilities of the third tier of government diligently, to help to catalyze rural development and economy.
“We want to see competitive development in the construction and maintenance of feeder roads, health facilities, primary educational facilities, portable water, rural electrification, and investment in agriculture, among others”, he said.
The governor further charged them to complement the state government’s efforts and prioritize security and peace in their respective local governments, for the state to achieve more progress.
“To effectively do this, I expect you to live among your people in line with our understanding ahead of the election. Make yourselves very accessible to the people, interact with them regularly, feel their pulse constantly in order to serve and secure them better.
“Our administration frowns seriously at absenteeism or running of your respective Councils from outside your localities; and we hope that no Council Chairman or Councilor tests our resolve in this regard.
“There shall be no interferences whatsoever in the running of the Councils”, adding: “Instead we will continue to synergize with the Councils to better the lots of the rural areas where the overwhelming populations of our people live”, he warned .
Governor Ugwuanyi said to the chairmen, “Your loyalty is to God and the country; and your commitment is to the people”.
On the peaceful conduct of the local government elections as was confirmed by the independent, accredited observers, governor Ugwuanyi said that the feat was as a result of the premium his administration places on the quality and purity of the electoral process in Enugu State.
He commended the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) and the security agencies for providing the necessary resources and environment “for our people to freely exercise their franchise and have their votes count. I also commend the political stakeholders for their peaceful and good conduct”.
The governor appreciated the people of the state, for reenacting their age-long support for the PDP, once again.
“I salute your loyalty and perseverance as you endured the scorching sun and queued up for hours to vote for us. This is yet another vote of confidence in our administration and party; and we will never forget this or take your loyalty for granted”, he said.
Governor Ugwuanyi hinted that the political actors conducted themselves in a very decorous and peaceful manner across party lines right from the primary elections to the main elections, saying that it was “double celebration over our victory and a peaceful and credible exercise”.
He therefore urged them to exercise their popular mandates with the fear of God and not to betray the overwhelming confidence the electorates reposed in their leadership capacities and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Governor Ugwuanyi showered gratitude to the people of the state for electing the chairmanship and councillorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 17 LGAs and 260 electoral wards.
Earlier in his opening remark, Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Dr Emmanuel, Chukwuma(OON), commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for the peaceful and successful conduct of the Local Government elections in the state, describing the exercise as “transparent and violence-free”.
He urged the newly-inaugurated chairmen to raise their performance bar in line with the people-oriented programmes of Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration especially at the grassroots.
Dignitaries at the event included the former deputy senate president, Senator professor Ike Ekweremadu, members of the National Assembly from the state, Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi and State House of Assembly members , State Chairman of PDP, Hon. Augustine Nnamani and members of his executives. Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, Senator Fidelis Okoro, Senator Hyde Onuaguluchi, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, Chief Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu, former National Woman Leader of PDP, Chief Mrs. Josephine Anenih, former State Chairmen of PDP (Dr. Charles Egumgbe, Engr. Vita Abba, Chief Ikeje Asogwa), traditional rulers , clergymen, members of State executives, party members among others.
It could be recalled that the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), had on Sunday, declared candidates of the PDP winners of Chairmanship and Councillorship seats contested in all the 17 Local Government Areas and 260 electoral wards in the state, respectively and issued Certificates of Return to the new Chairmen, accordingly.
