Gov Oborevwori Swears In New LG Chairmen In Asaba, Urges Modesty, Fiscal Discipline 

Delta state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged  the new Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the 25 local governments in the state to embark on viable infrastructural projects and ensure modesty, fiscal discipline, prudent management, judicious allocation of resources, and excellent service delivery. 

Governor Oborevwori also asked them to avoid profligacy typified by wasteful spending and extravagant lifestyle while urging them  to address the recurring problems of insecurity, poverty, unemployment and environmental decay in their respective local governments. 

A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com  noted that Governor Oborevwori said this during the swearing in ceremony of  the new Chairmen and Vice Chairmen in Asaba, the state capital, on Monday.

Recall that local government elections were held in the state on Saturday and the Delta state Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) had since announced the election results on Sunday.

The governor explained that it is necessary for the chairmen to stay close to the people by operating from their respective headquarters and warned that they must shun the unhealthy practice of running the local governments from offshore, especially Asaba and Warri. 

Governor Oborevwori, said: ‘To the elected Local Government Council Chairmen, I urge you to reciprocate the huge mandate that has been given to you by giving preference to the needs and aspirations of your people with a view to delivering good governance. 

You must discharge your duties with sincerity of purpose, impartiality, compassion, fairness, and justice and I expect you to work assiduously for the actualization of the MORE Agenda.  

As the third tier of government closest to the people, you need to improve the environmental sanitation in your communities. Our urban centres are riddled with filth as a result of improper waste disposal and poor sanitation habits of our people. 

I will like to see you step up in this regard by devising proper waste disposal measures, while embarking on aggressive public enlightenment campaign to educate our people on good sanitation habits’. 

Governor Oborevwori, who reiterated that the state government does not tamper with local government funds, said he welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling on Local Government autonomy, emphasizing that statutory allocations 

to the local governments in the state for the last three months had remained intact. 

He added that as the then Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the parliament had voted for autonomy for the  local governments during the 5th Constitution alteration session. 

‘I, therefore, expect you to hit the ground running by embarking on visible infrastructural projects that can be inaugurated.  You must shun wasteful spending and extravagant lifestyle.  

Let your administrations be characterized by modesty, fiscal discipline, prudent management, judicious allocation of resources, and excellent project delivery. 

As the Speaker of  Delta state House of Assembly, we advocated for financial autonomy for the legislature and judiciary.  The House also voted ‘YES’ to Local Government autonomy during the Fifth Alteration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Therefore, the Supreme Court judgment on financial autonomy for local governments is a welcome development. Actually, Delta state Government has never tampered with local government funds. Rather, the state government has often had to augment the allocations to the local government councils to enable them meet their financial obligations’ he said. 

While urging the Chairmen to improve on their Internally -Generated Revenue, Governor Oborevwori  also cautioned against overtaxing an already burdened populace reeling under the painful effects of the current economic hardship. 

He said: ‘Your success on this job will also depend on your ability to work seamlessly with your Vice Chairmen, the legislative arm and other critical stakeholders in your respective Local Governments. Please, avoid running a one-man show.  

You must demonstrate the political sagacity to manage the local politics, and the administrative acumen to be all- inclusive to ensure peace, stability, and cohesion in your domains’. 

He commended the Delta state Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC, for conducting free, fair and credible elections and also commended the security agencies for ensuring peace and security throughout the exercise across the state. 

The new Chairmen are Emmanuel Bazim Chinye, Aniocha North; Jude Chukwunkwike, Aniocha South; Dagidi Andaye, Bomadi; Julius Takeme, Burutu; Augustine Ogedegbe, Ethiope East; Christian Onogba, Ethiope West; Monday Odigwe, lka North East, Jerry Ehiwarior, lka South; Godwin Ogorugba, Isoko North; Warri Ovoke Friday, Isoko South; Vincent Osilonya, Ndokwa East; Obi Nzete, Ndokwa West; and Isaiah Esiovwa, Okpe. 

Others are Innocent Esewezie, Oshimili North; Obi Kelvin Ezenyili, Oshimili South; Isaac Aguanah, Patani; Bright Abeke, Sapele; Vincent Oyibode, Udu; Jaro Egbo, Ughelli North; Lucky Avweromre, Ughelli South; Possible Ajede, Ukwuani; Anthony Ofoni, Uvwie; Festus Ashima, Warri North; Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, Warri South and Sylvester Oromoni, Warri South West. 

While congratulating the new chairmen and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the resounding victory at the polls on Saturday, Governor Oborevwori  noted that it was a product of weeks of grassroots campaign in which they did not take for granted and thanked the good people of Delta state who, in spite of the heavy downpour, came out and voted for the leaders of their choice. 

Responding on behalf of the new Chairmen and Vice Chairmen, Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Council, Hon. Innocent Esewezie, expressed appreciation to the governor and leaders of the PDP in the state for the opportunity given to them to serve at the grassroots level. 

He commended the electorate in the various local governments for endorsing their candidacies through the electoral mandate given to them at the polls, while assuring all that they have adopted the MORE Agenda of the governor and would not betray the confidence reposed in them. 

The highpoint of the event that  was attended by  wife of the governor, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori; the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, State PDP Chairman, Dr Kingsley Esiso, and other top government functionaries, was the administration of oath  to  the  new chairmen and vice chairmen by the governor–Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you