Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, has explained the rationale behind appointing accomplished individuals as Mayors of the 17 Local Government Areas of the state instead of the “traditional Transition Council Chairmen”.
Government Otti made the revelation during a Town Hall meeting for the Constituents of Abia Central Senatorial Zone, held at the International Conference Center Umuahia.
He said; “I want to underscore the point behind Mayor rather than traditional transition Council Chairmen they were called in the past.
“Of course the roles as defined by the enabling laws may not be different but what is different this time is appointing house boys, errand boys as chairmen of local governments .
“We went for the best. We went for accomplished people. We went for people who are not hungry, people who are not looking for work, people who are ordinarily very busy and we convinced them to come and make contributions to their local governments.
Governor Otti commended the Mayors who had earlier presented their scorecards, saying; “From the report that you (Abia Central Constituents) got from the six of them, I am sure that you are not in any doubt that the decision we took six months ago was the right decision”.
He assured the mayors of his administration’s support, to enable them carry out their developmental initiatives in the grassroot and emphasized that local government funds would be used strictly for development purposes.
“I want to reassure six of them that any support that they require to carry out their function they should take it for granted that it would be granted.
“We have also said time and time again that the money for Abia people would be used for Abia people and that includes the money for the Local Government.
“Nobody is touching money for the local government except for the development of the local government and the state.
“If you have a project for your local government bring it for us to look at it as people that understand project and if it is good we will approve it.
“Please count on us, after one project you can do another and another, there is no limit to the project that you are allowed to do.
“What we don’t want to hear is that any money was diverted”, Gov Otti warned.
The Governor while noting that the essence of the town hall meeting was to interface with the people assured citizens that government would urgently give due consideration to their feedback and added that no community in the state would be left behind in his developmental agenda.
Earlier, the Mayor of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Chief Victor Ikeji, expressed optimism that the meeting would be a success and produce fruit’s that would contribute to the advancement of the communities in the three Senatorial zones of the state.
Mayor Ikeji while commending Governor Otti said that the present administration had in the past one year recorded unprecedented achievements as well as redefined governance through his leadership style.
Highlights of the town hall meeting was the passing of a vote of confidence on Governor Otti by the people of Abia Central Senatorial District, in recognition of the Governor’s significant achievements in his first year in office.
The resolution was initiated by the Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Chief Obi Aguocha, and seconded by the Member for Ikwuano State Constituency.Mr. Boniface Isienyi and put to a vote by the Deputy Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly Chief Austin Nmeregini.
