Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa on Friday presided at the swearing-in ceremony of the Chairmen of Ethiope East and Ughelli North local government areas, Chief Faith Majemite and Hon. Godwin Adode respectively, saying payment of salaries should be a priority.
According to Governor Okowa who spoke at the impressive ceremony that took place at Government House, Asaba, chairmen of councils “should pay salaries first before engaging in any other venture.”
He also, challenged the Chairmen of Councils in the state to pay special attention to environmental cleanliness, noting that clean cities and towns are necessary to attract inventors and make such areas habitable.
“We must institute lasting measures to keep our environments clean, it is the duty of local government councils to keep the environment clean, our environment must be clean for investors to come in, make us healthier and happy,” the Governor said
He observed that the state government had intervened severally in the area of making the state clean despite the fact that it is the duty of local government councils to ensure such.
Governor Okowa also, urged the Chairmen to take issues of primary health care serious by cooperating with the state Primary Health Care Agency, and harnessing the benefits of the contributory health insurance scheme of his administration.
The Governor who congratulated the Chairmen and the Vice Chairmen, including the Councillors for their victories at the polls, used the occasion to also, take the issue of security serious in their areas and ensure that they leave within their council areas, asserting, “we will not have absentee chairmen and councillors, live in your local government areas, at all times we should note that our position is to serve the people, we must be humble with the way we relate with people.”
“You (council chairmen) should find out what is going on at the state government level and ensure that your people key into the programmes of the state government, be prudent with the management of resources and do not be lousy on the job,” the Governor said.
Responding on behalf of her colleague, Chief Majemite assured Governor Okowa, the government and people of Delta State that they will carry out their functions diligently with rendering of selfless service as the watchword.
Dr. Chris Oharisi in a chat with journalists shortly after the event, observed that the inauguration of the two chairmen showed the beauty of democracy as their election was held at a date different from that of their colleagues.
“Today, we are here to cheer our Chairmen, show solidarity with our party, you know the first set of 23 Council Chairmen were sworn-in last Monday and today, we just witnessed the swearing-in of two other chairmen, it is the beauty of democracy and showed that the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) carried out its job diligently and ensured that elections were held in a peaceful atmosphere,”
Dr. Oharisi who is a member of the Governing Council, Delta State School of Health Technology, Ofuoma-Ughelli said.