Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru has tasked local government chairmen to support him in the building and development of the state.
According to him, he is ready to fight anyone who goes contrary to making Ebonyi a better place even as the local government allocation funds get to them directly.
Governor Nwifuru gave the charge at Ecumenical Center Abakaliki after he swore in the thirteen (13) executive council chairmen alongside their deputies and members of advisory committees on Sunday.
He then urged the council chairmen on the need to be accountable and diligent in their services to the people.
His words: “The challenge is how to maintain those who work for you. I am sure in your two years in office, you will not remember them because of the activities in the office. Ask God to give you the opportunity to enable you to choose your friends.
“You are on a very dangerous road because any move you make will be looked into. We cannot be two captains on the ship. I am the captain.
“If this autonomy will make you fight dirty we will fight, but I will not talk. I want you to be careful of what makes this state beautiful. They are the stakeholders. If you listen to social media and you go around fighting them, you are fighting the Governor.
“There is no functional factory in the state. The only one we have we must protect it. I want you to be ready to service the stakeholders, the youths and women.
“The second thing is project and infrastructural development. We have not gotten to the success stage. We do not need to rush. As we are talking of infrastructural development, be prudent and assertive to get it right. I know many things confront you. But you have to be sincere.”
Governor Nwifuru also charged the council chairmen to avoid imposition of traditional rulers to their people .
He said “Stop playing politics with traditional rulers election, allow communities to elect their traditional rulers, that is what the law said.
“Take care of our traditional rulers, it is your responsibility to take care of them including the youths, women groups and elders.”
Speaking against the backdrop of the recent Supreme Court judgement that granted financial autonomy to local governments, Nwifuru said he was in support of the autonomy.
“I want to assure you that I am with you, my prayers are with you to succeed throughout your tenure.
“You have autonomy 100% both financial and otherwise, whatever decision you take as Chairman, you bear it.”
In his remarks, council chairman Ivo Local Government Ajah Emmanuel Ogbonna, assured Governor Francis, Senator Anyim Pius for their support to see him returned back for a second term. He assured his people that he will make them proud .
Also the Edda Council Chairman Prince Chima Ekumankama, Promised to start with textiles industry to have a roborst system that will accommodate mostly the youths to reduce vices.
Meanwhile the APC chairman Stanley Okoro-Emegha urged the council chairmen to follow the footsteps of the Governor promising to show the way out of any pf them that fails to listen to the manifesto of their party.
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