By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Ebonyi State President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Worldwide, Dr. Peter Mbam, has admonished newly elected chairmen and councillors in the state to always synergise with community and town union leaders in execution of projects in their areas.

Mbam gave the charge in a lecture he delivered on Tuesday at the ongoing capacity building for the new chairmen and councillors in Abakaliki.

In the lecture titled ‘Community Synergy for political Office Holders’, the Ohanaeze President noted that a good leader, apart from manifesting positive characters of integrity, dedication and honesty, shows empathy with his subjects.

He noted that carrying communities along in development projects ensures that the real needs of the people are addressed, while strengthening mutual confidence between the leaders and the led.

Mbam, a former General Manager of the World Bank Assisted Ebonyi State Community and Social Development Agency, maintained that the level of infrastructural development across the 140 communities and 171 political wards in the State were made possible through Governor Umahi’s synergy with the Council chairmen and community leaders

He added that integrating communities helps guarantee the security of projects executed in their areas.

Mbam said: “Joint projects with council chairmen by the State Government is to ensure effective resource utilization and maximum impact.

“I encourage the council chairmen to fund projects through the town union executives.”

Speaking on ‘Leadership in Local Government’, another resource person, Dr Mark Abani, cautioned the new council leaders against nepotism and sectarianism which has continued to breed mediocrity in local government administration in the country.

“There is a strong undercurrent to employ ‘sons and daughters of the soil’ in positions of responsibility at the expense of merit.

“This has led to some civil servants being victimized because they do not come from the area they are serving in,” Abani stated.

Earlier, while speaking on Improving Internally generated revenue, the Chairman, Ebonyi State Board of Internal Revenue, Agwu Nweze, represented by Brian Oko, further charged the chairmen to identify more IGR avenues and sub heads in their councils to boost fund availability for their services.

He further urged them to always contract community indigenes and known faces with unquestionable characters to drive revenue in their jurisdictions so as to secure better compliance.

Participants who bared their minds to newsmen: Chinonso Ajah, Chairman of Ohaozara Local government area and Brutus Orogwu, a Development Centre Coordinator from Ikwo Local government area, among others, appreciated Governor David Umahi for the privilege.

They stated that the training has been so beneficial to them, adding that the knowledge gained would help them deliver in their mandate.

Today’s event marked the 4th day of the training expected to end Friday, August 26, 2022, preparatory to their swearing-in ceremony.

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