Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has charged the newly sworn-in Local Government Chairmen in the state to prioritise grassroots development, shun corruption and justify the confidence reposed in them by the people.
Okpebholo gave the charge during the swearing-in ceremony of the 18 local government chairmen held at Festival Hall, Government House, Benin, on Friday.
He described their emergence as the beginning of a new chapter in grassroots governance and development in the state.
The governor said the recent Local Government elections were free, fair and credible, adding that the turnout demonstrated the growing confidence of the people in democracy and his administration.
According to him, local governments, being the closest tier of government to the people, have a greater responsibility to ensure that development reaches communities across the state.
He said the renewed commitment to Local Government autonomy under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu had placed greater responsibility on the newly elected chairmen.
“The overwhelming victory recorded by our party at the recent polls is a call for more work.
“I charge you to go and work for the people, complement the development efforts of the State Government and ensure that the impact of government is felt in every community,” he said.
Okpebholo urged the chairmen to shun corruption, describing public office as a sacred trust and an opportunity to serve the people.
He said their legacies would be defined by the lives they touched, the problems they solved and how effectively they used the opportunities entrusted to them.
The governor also urged the chairmen to strengthen political structures at the grassroots and mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda.
He charged them to work towards delivering the state’s collective target of 2.5 million votes for the president, stressing that the task required hard work, unity and sustained engagement with the people.
“The best way to earn their continued support is through good governance and visible development.
“The people have entrusted you with leadership. Go and justify that trust. Serve with humility, lead with integrity and work with passion,” Okpebholo added.
He expressed optimism that the tenure of the new chairmen would bring progress, peace and prosperity to the people of Edo.
Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in chairmen, Mr Gabriel Iduseri, the Chairman of Oredo local government, commended the governor for the confidence he reprosed on them.
He said they were deeply honored for the opportunity given them to serve their people, adding that they recognised that the mandate comes with great responsibilities.
“We pledged our commitment to provide purposeful and transparent and people oriented leadership at the grass-roots.
“We are ready to key into the project SHINE AGENDA of the governor and the Renewed Hope of the president, and to bring development to our various local governments,” he said.
The former Commissioner for local government and Chieftency Affairs, Sir (Dr.) Lucky Eseigbe has congratulated the sworn-in council chairman and their vice, charged them to replicate the developmental stride achieved by the governor Monday Okpebholo led administration at the grassroots.
“I congratulate the newly sworn-in local government Chairmen and advised them to take the task of leadership very seriously and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots.
“Their duties is to do the needful and partner with the developmental stride of governor Monday Okpebholo to replicate the developmental stride in the State at the local government level” .