Obaseki swears in council chairmen

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has sworn in chairmen for the councils.

Speaking at the ceremony in Benin City, Edo State capital, yesterday, Obaseki urged the chairmen to be accountable, responsive and responsible in administering the affairs of their councils.

He said: “My administration has kept aside N2 billion saved from the Paris Club refunds in the councils’ treasury for the new executives to commence activities.

“You are not coming to meet an empty treasury. I have saved your Paris refund in excess of N2 billion and some of you have savings in excess of N2 billion. So, you will be coming into office with some reserves and savings, but you have to focus on enduring projects.”

He said the era when council chiefs left offices with debts for their successors would not be accepted, noting that his administration spent the last 17 months offsetting debts incurred by former council executives.

The governor described the peaceful conduct of the electoral process as historical, noting: “The increasing acceptability of the laudable programmes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) enabled you to secure victory at the polls. We do not expect less from you.

“Your elections were free and fair, so you must go and serve the people who voted you into office. You have no godfather to settle. Your sole responsibility must be the welfare of the people,” the governor urged the new chairmen.

Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige, who witnessed the ceremony, commended Obaseki for saving funds for the chairmen to kick-start their activities.

He described the act as benevolent and urged the council chiefs to use the fund for the people.

Oredo council Chairman Jenkins Osunde, who spoke for others, thanked the people for voting them into offices.

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