••• Urges Them to Enforce Anti-Open Grazing bills
Attah Ede, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Wednesday, swore in newly elected 23 LG Chairmen in the state.
He charged them to focus on payment of salaries of primary school teachers and traditional rulers for overall development of the local government areas.
He emphasized that the Anti-Open Grazing Law is very much in force in the State and urged the Chairmen to work hand-in-hand with Security Agencies as well as the Livestock Guards to enforce it.
He stated that in line with the provision of the Local Government Law 2007 (as Amended) and upon the expiration of tenure of the out-going Chairmen, the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission on 30th April, 2022 conducted elections in the 23 Local Government Councils of the State to elect Chairmen and Councilors who will serve in the next two years.
The governor thanked the out-going Chairmen for their meritorious service in their various Local Governments and wish them well in their future endeavours.
He stressed that, with the swearing-in, the new Chairmen should bear in mind that the days of playing politics are over.
“Now is the time to concentrate on giving the electorate quality service because that is the reason for giving you their mandate.
“It is important for all of you to note at all times that we are in office because of the electorate and not for ourselves.
“We must therefore serve them faithfully, diligently and conscientiously because there is always the day to give account of our stewardship.
“From today, the new Chairmen are leaders at the grassroots level. You should therefore identify and live with your own people in the Local Government Areas and not in the State capital as visiting Chairmen.
“Yours is a call to serve the rural majority who lack the basic infrastructure for their social and economic transformation.
” I urge you therefore to view your election as an opportunity to contribute your own quota in turning around the lives of your people with good leadership based on the laudable policies, programmes and projects you execute”, Ortom said.
The governor who also used the occasion to swear in a special Adviser and a permanent secretary, however said in the light of dwindling Federal Allocation, the newly sworn in Chairmen should look inwards to generate more internal revenue to provide services and give priority to payment of Primary School Teachers, Local Government Area Traditional Councils.
He added that those and other statutory obligations should be put on First Line Charge to ensure the seamless operations of the Local Government Councils.
“Let me use this opportunity to enjoin you to keep abreast of all financial and other regulations guiding the conduct of your Administrations and strictly adhere to them and also avoid unnecessary financial commitments which will lead to litigations. I wish to caution you on embarking on any form of new Projects and award of contracts but rather try to complete ongoing ones.
“To make meaningful progress, I also charge you to always work together as a team. You must shun the temptation of operating alone as Sole Administrators but should carry along your Deputies as well as the Council Legislative leader and other members.
It is better to arrive at consensus decisions than taking arbitrary ones that breed acrimony, distrust and quarrels that do no one any good.
“Presently, we have cause to be worried about the rising crime wave, insecurity and crises that are going on in different parts of our State. These negative developments have direct serious effects on peace without which, as we all know, development cannot thrive.
@As Chief Security Officers in your respective Local Governments, you should work in harmony with the Police and other Security Agencies, Traditional Rulers, community leaders and reputable elders in your Councils.
” It is better to work hard at nipping any form of crisis in the bud than allowing it to grow and manifest to disrupt the existing peace. I invite you to especially note the saying that “prevention is better than cure” and to adopt same in handling security matters in your areas of jurisdiction”, Ortom said.
