The President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Malachy Agbo, has been appointed the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Agbo, alongside 16 others, were on Thursday appointed by the Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who immediately inaugurated the chairmen and their deputies.

Others appointed alongside Agbo as chairmen of the state’s 17 local government councils include Prof. Rose Onah, Nsukka; Ekwe Chidi, Aninri; Igwe Isaac Chukwudi, Enugu North; Sunday Ugwu, Enugu South; and Fred Ezenwa, Ezeagu.

Others are Uwake Ezeja, Igboeze North; Fidelis Odoh, Igboeze South; and Benjamin Edeoga, Isiuzo.

Speaking at their inauguration on Thursday, Ugwuanyi charged the chairmen to live within their respective council areas.

He said they should brace themselves for a governance style embedded in strict fiscal discipline in view of the peculiar situations confronting each of their council areas.

Emphasising the imperative of the new helmsmen domiciling in their local government council areas, the governor told them that the era of running the local government system from hotels was over in the state.

He reminded them that government and the people of Enugu State expected good results from them.

Governor Ugwuanyi thanked the outgone chairmen and the councillors for the service they rendered in their respective capacities, wishing them well in their future endeavours. He also thanked the heads of personnel management of local governments in the state and treasurers in the council areas for their services during the period under review.

Governor Ugwuanyi disclosed that the swearing-in of caretaker councilors would take place on January 11, 2016 at the various local government council areas by the local government council caretaker chairmen.

Three of the local government council chairmen were retained. They are Prince Cornelius Nnaji of Enugu East Local Government Area, Afam Okereke of Nkanu West Local Government Area and Cornnel Onwubuya of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area.

Earlier in a speech, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chief Chijioke Edeoga, thanked Governor Ugwuanyi for constituting an amiable team made up of people with pedigree and integrity.

Edeoga said: “When you look at the team that assembled here, dear governor, the outcome validates your sleepless night before their selection.”

The commissioner called on the appointees to be mindful of their obligations in their various council areas. He gave them insights of what they are expected to meet in their various council areas in respect of duties, responsibilities and financial debts.

Speaking on behalf of the sworn-in caretaker council chairmen and their deputies, Onah thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve the state.

She said: “The chairmen and the deputies are very grateful to you for finding us worthy to occupy this seat of responsibilities and to contribute our own quota to your administration towards the growth and development of Enugu State.”

Onah promised that they would not betray Ugwuanyi but will strive to promote the good and aspirations of the state. She added that in spite of the current enormous financial challenges in the country, their selection was something to thank God for as they were chosen among many contenders.

Onah observed that the challenges of local government councils in respect of financing in the state is enormous, adding that she had also heard about bailout, reminding the governor of the need to bail them out.

She promised the readiness of the team to strive towards pulling the local government system up and out of problems and odds.

•Photo shows Igbo-Etiti LG CTC Chairman Malachy Agbo.

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