The Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has charged the newly-elected local government chairmen in the state to always demonstrate accountability, transparency and fairness in all their dealings in office.
He spoke at the inauguration of the new Chairmen at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, the state capital on Monday.
Governor Alia, who described the event as a significant moment in the future of the local government administration in the state, urged the chairmen to immediately get to work.
He told them to work diligently to provide strategic leadership, and charged them to uphold the highest standards of governance without fear or favour.
He tasked them to ensure they listen and address the needs of the people at the grassroots, and collaborate with all relevant stakeholders at the local level with the aim of fostering an inclusive government in the interest of all.
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Alia said: “Your duties would require you to work diligently, to provide strategic leadership, and to uphold the highest standards of governance without fear or favour.
“This is a responsibility that demands integrity, foresight, and a steadfast dedication to the principles of accountability, transparency, fairness and honesty in all your dealings.
“I also urge you to listen attentively to the needs of our people in your various local government areas, and to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration with all stakeholders with a view to fostering an inclusive government towards ensuring a more prosperous future for all.”
While calling on the Chairmen to collaborate with the government at the state level in order to implement policies and programmes that are beneficial to the rural communities, especially as no tier of government operates in isolation, the governor equally encouraged them to extend an olive branch to the members of the opposition parties, and to equally give room for ideas and constructive criticisms aimed at entrenching democracy and good governance in the state.
He expressed his belief in their ability and capacity to lead and serve their people, admonishing them not to focus more on personal gains, but to always strive to bring democratic deliverables closer to the people at the grassroots.
Responding on behalf of the new Chairmen, the Chairman of Vandeikya Local Government Area, Hon. Dennis Guda, appreciated the Governor, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress and the entire people of the state for giving them the mandate to preside over the affairs of the local government councils.
He assured of their readiness to work in line with the seven points agenda of the governor, and to always be in consultation with all the relevant stakeholders, sharing ideas for the overall progress of the state.
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