Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has tasked the newly sworn-in caretaker committee chairmen of the 31 local government areas of the state, not to embark on capital projects in their council areas “because your tenure may not be long enough.”

Gov. Emmanuel was addressing the newly appointed caretaker committee chairmen after their swearing into office yesterday in Uyo. He advised them to ensure the provision of social services, such as rehabilitation of rural roads, primary health care, primary education and rural electrification stressing: “These services are the least that will be expected of you.”

The governor listed the objectives of the local governments as, making appropriate services and development activities responsive to local wishes and initiatives; facilitating and bringing the exercise of democratic self governance closer to the local levels of the society and to encourage initiatives and leadership potentials.

He also stated that their function was to mobilise human and material resources through the involvement of members of the public on their local government, and to provide a two-way communication between local communities and the three tiers of government.

“From the foregoing,” the governor stated, “it can be seen that local government councils are expected to serve as the catalysts for development and for bringing government closer to the people at the grassroots level. Councils would succeed in achieving their objectives if leaders at the third tier of government can stimulate cooperation and participation of people at the grassroots to work towards improving their living conditions.”

He enjoined them to work with the people at the grassroots, for them to see the lofty ideas embedded in governments, adding: “You must through your actions make government be seen as a force for good and not a force for ill. With sincerity and commitment, you can create the expected impact in your respective local government areas.

“Let me make it clear that your appointment is not a reward for your political investment; rather, it is a call to service. It offers you two opportunities, one is to prove yourselves competent to provide leadership, with the possibility of being called upon to serve in other or at higher levels, and two; to prove to your people that you are worthy of public trust.”

The governor equally charged them, “Your performance should go a long way to erase the widely held public perception that Council Chairmen can be found in their offices only when federal allocation comes and after disbursement they return to their bases in the state capitals.”

He advised them to ‘’use your tenure, no matter how short it would be, to do something that would connect your name with and be of interest to your people.”

News Express reports that seven of the newly sworn-in chairmen retained their offices, while 24 chairmen were fresh appointees. They were all directed by the executive governor to swear-in other members of the caretaker committees in their respective local government headquarters today.

•Photo shows Governor Emmanuel

Update news