Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has charged Chairmen of Local Government Councils in the state to help strengthen grassroots confidence in the “Renewed Hope for More” agenda of Mr President and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Chairman of the Committee, Chukwudi Dafe, gave the charge while addressing authorities of Oshimili North and Oshimili South Local Government, in continuation of the Committee’s oversight visits to the 25 local councils across the state.
Accompanied by other members of the Committee, including Honourables Fred Martins, Oboro Preyor, Austin Uroye, Emmanuel Sinebe, Isaac Anwuzia, Ferguson Onwo and James Augoye, the Lawmaker restated his earlier call that developmental projects should be spread across wards and communities in the council areas.
Hon Dafe stated that such equitable distribution of government projects and programmes and other dividends of democracy, would further enhance the people’s confidence in governance and encourage electoral participation.
He acknowledged the commitment of the Chairmen of Oshimili North and South Local Government to delivering their electioneering promises to their people, and expressed satisfaction on their performances and success stories.
Dafe tasked them to redouble their efforts in improving standards of life and infrastructure, stressing that elected leaders are accountable to the electorate.
The Committee Chairman, however urged the Chairmen to make transparency, accountability and prudent application of public funds their watchwords in order to avoid any form of troubles.
Dafe, who represents Ukwani Constituency in the House and former local government boss, commended significant improvement in revenue to the Councils and urged the Chairmen to make good use of the resources.
He explained that the oversight visits by the Committee was a constitutional mandate of the legislature to the councils, with sole aim of promoting transparency, fairness, accountability and good governance at the grassroots.
The Lawmaker paid glowing tributes to Governor Oborevwori and the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor for their supports, noting that the visits have motivated council chairmen to deliver more results in their respective areas.
Welcoming the Lawmakers to Oshimili North, its Chairman, Innocent Esewuzie, highlighted some of his administration’s star projects, including the development of modern markets in Ugbolu, Akwukwu-Igbo, Illah, and Ebu communities.
He also mentioned the Okpaman Cottage Hospital, now 85 percent complete, as well as the introduction of drones and CCTV cameras to improve security, which he said had helped to curb kidnapping incidents in the locality in the past six months.
Similarly, the Chairman of Oshimili South, Kelvin Ezenyili, said his administration was aligning with the development agenda of both the state and federal governments to fast-track progress in the council area.
He listed successful completion of a two-storey shopping plaza at Ogbogonogo Market in Asaba, an Event Centre at Oko community, ongoing two-storey administrative office complex, restoration of power in some communities in Asaba through the purchase of transformers, and the acquisition of security gadgets, as part of his achievement under the present dispensation, and assured the committee of his continued commitment to good governance.
The highpoint of the visit was inspection of completed and ongoing projects in the two council areas by the Lawmakers. The visit continues.