Cross River cautions council chiefs against misuse of funds
From Eno-Abasi Sunday, Calabar
LOCAL council chairmen in Cross River State have been cautioned against insensitivity to the plight of their people. They should also shun ostentatious lifestyle, the state government advised them at the weekend.
Governor Donald Duke gave the directives when he swore in the new chairman of Akpabuyo Local Council, Mr. Emmanuel Okon.
Okon's predecessor, Dr. Salem Joshua, was suspended from office a few months ago by the state House of Assembly and later removed in accordance with the Local Government Act of 2004. An administrative panel of enquiry found him culpable in a bloody clash that rocked the area which led to the loss of lives and destruction of property.
Duke said it would be a disservice to the people and betrayal of trust if the state government folds its arms and watch an elected leader like the dropped council chief go unpunished or condone acts of lawlessness.
He said it was unfortunate for any leader at any level to be indifferent to matters under his jurisdiction.
Duke said the ousted chairman was not sensitive to the crisis in his area but preferred to channel funds that would have been used to mobilise policemen to furnish his office.
To prevent the ugly situation where council workers' salaries for 13 months were not paid, Duke said his government fashioned out a system that placed premium on the workers' welfare.
Under the arrangement, the workers would be treated as officials of the Ministry of Local Government so that their salaries, pensions and gratuities would be paid promptly.
Also, the councils would be given between N4 and N5 million monthly, without encumbrances because the state government takes care of salaries and councils' counterpart funding of projects and education.
The money would be used by the councils to run their offices, Duke said.
While commending Okon, the council's vice-chairman, for his elevation to the office of the chairman, the governor urged him to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in him by the state government and the people.
In his acceptance speech, Okon promised to discharge his duties diligently to address the challenges faced by the grassroots.
He called for support from the people to enable him succeed.
|
