Move to your local government areas – Governor Mbah orders newly sworn-in chairmen

The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Monday inaugurated the 17 local government council chairmen and deputy chairmen elected in the September 21 local government elections in the state and charged them to hit the ground running and implement people-centric projects and programs in line with their election promises.

Mbah also directed the new chairmen to relocate to their local government areas as the era of council chairmen living in townships and far from their citizens was over, and urged them to study at his government’s Smart Green School, rural, among others to participate in infrastructure projects and agriculture. to fight crime and create opportunities and a better future for children and youth in Enugu.

“I have been following your campaign and everything you have promised people. I also heard many of you allude to our mantra “Tomorrow is here” during the campaign. I’ll tell you what “Tomorrow is Here” is all about.

“It speaks to the immediacy of the tasks before us and how we can solve these problems immediately and without hesitation.

“It also reminds us that the tomorrow we imagine is within reach, but only to the extent that we are able to innovate. That’s why we now talk about disruptive innovation.

“Now the time you had the conversation is over, and I would also like to add that the honeymoon is over too. Now is the time to walk the talk and put into action the promises you have made to people.

“What people now expect is how and when to solve the problems that have hindered their development over the years. Now is the time to think outside the box,” explained Mbah.

The governor also urged them to support the state’s fight against insecurity as without them no development is possible.

“We do not tolerate crime and insecurity in Enugu State. If you think about how to attract cottage industries and development to your various local governments, they would not come unless you have peace and security,” he said.

He also urged them to adopt inclusive governance and manage the councils of their LGAs.

“People would be at the heart of your governance model. They must banish the feelings of the allies and bring democratic gains to everyone.

“You should think about the basic equipment. We face challenges in all industries. You should think outside the box on how to solve these and create wealth and jobs in creative ways.

“But you can’t do that remotely. This is not possible from the city. You have to be with your people.

“The era when local government leaders or their deputies lead their people remotely or through a proxy is over. We would have no tolerance for local government chairmen who do not govern from their local government,” he stressed.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Chairman of Nkanu East LGA, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh assured that the new chairmen would disseminate the governor’s numerous development programs to the grassroots.

“We are fortunate to be part of this most digitalized, innovative and stable administration. Some people fail not because they want to fail, but because they lack suitable, especially exemplary, leaders to emulate.

“But since we have you as governor, we know only too well that you are a performance-driven governor. “We will not abandon you and the people of Enugu State,” Okechukwu assured.

Also answering questions from Government House correspondents was Hon., a second term councilor of Isi-Uzo LGA. Obiora Obeagu commended the Mbah administration for executing projects that otherwise fall under the jurisdiction of the local government and for providing financial support to councils.

“Speaking of local government autonomy, you know I’m coming back for a second term. In fact, the governor actually invests state government money in local governments.

“Take primary education, for example, which is the responsibility of local governments. We have ongoing Smart Schools across the 260 districts of Enugu State and each of these projects is worth over one billion naira. The local government cannot shoulder this.

“So we have always had that autonomy since the governor reconstituted the Economic Planning Commission and have always used the platform to support us in our various councils.

“We have a partnership where the governor funds 60 percent of the cost of capital projects initiated by a local government.

“We have 260 health centers across the state, which means the partnership pays dividends and rubs off on the grassroots,” he said.

The Chairman of Udenu LGA, Aka Eze Aka, promised innovative and robust rural development in line with Governor Mbah’s agenda.