Governor Hope Uzodimma has told the Local Government officials in Imo State, particularly the elected ones, to use their offices to serve the people who elected them into office and not to punish them.

The Governor who spoke on Thursday at the Rockview Hotel Owerri while declaring open the three day retreat for Imo State Local Government officials also read the riot act to those of them who do not take their responsibility to the public seriously.

The theme of the three day retreat is: Public Sector Governance for Officials of Local Government in Imo State with emphasis on "Enhancing local government sustainable development."

Governor Uzodimma reminded both the elected and appointed officials that the public office is a calling that requires those holding them to be responsible, passionate about service to the people, accountable and ready to give those they are serving a sense of belonging.

His words: "Those elected by the people are to represent the people not to punish the people. They are to improve on the welfare of the people who elected them."

Governor Uzodimma who said that the Local Government Chairmen must regularly meet with the stakeholders in their domain for inclusiveness, responsibility and sense of belonging also noted that the Councillors must regularly consult with leaders in their Ward with regard to the needs and challenges facing their communities.

He further urged the Councillors to make it a habit to interface with the Traditional Rulers and the Town Union Presidents in their Ward, insisting that their different responsibilities are cut out for them.

While urging them to remain focused in discharging their duties in the midst of unwarranted distractions and malicious attacks from those who may be eyeing their positions, Governor Uzodimma reminded them that they must live among, and with the people who elected them.

Governor Uzodimma however reminded both the Chairmen and Councillors that he had briefed the security operatives to monitor the movement of those of them who flout his directives as regards doing the right thing, living among their people and serving the people well.

The Governor who mandated them to serve the people in line with the All Progressives Congress (APC) manifesto added that part of the reasons for the establishment of the Progressive Institute last year was to fashion out a think tank that can serve as compass for the implementation of the Party's development agenda nationwide.

"Imo is an APC State and you must serve based on the APC manifesto and progressive ideology," the Governor explained, noting that when the Institute was opened last year, he made a promise to leverage its presence to train the Imo State Local Government officials. "I have kept the promise to the APC Institute," he said.

Governor Uzodimma said he has confidence in the ability of the resource persons from the Institute to drill the participants in such ways that they will take stock of what they are expected to do, reflect deeply on the job of service as elected officials, and then come to the realisation that they must work together to achieve optimum results.

Earlier, the Director General of the Progressive Institute, Mr. Lanre Adebayo commended the Governor for fulfilling his promise to have his resource persons train the Imo State Local Government officials.

Adebayo lauded the quality of those who were elected and appointed officials of the Local Government Areas in Imo State, noting that their contributions during the retreat showed they were prepared for the position they are holding.

He said that the quality of the contributions of the personnel at the Local Government Areas of Imo State attending the retreat was not only unbelievable but a reflection of the purposeful leadership the Governor has provided in Imo as a true ambassador of the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Adebayo thanked the Governor for providing an enabling environment for them to hold the retreat, adding that "Owerri is peaceful, a very peaceful city in the South East, and contrary to the insinuation of insecurity."

"Since we arrived we have taken time to go round Owerri and we can tell that the city is peaceful and we have enjoyed our stay."

In her welcome remarks, the Imo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Ruby Emele, thanked both the Governor and the resource persons, and said that the participants look forward to more of the retreat.

Mrs. Emele who told the Governor that he may not know how much he had invested in the training of the Local Government officials free, added that the Governor has not just proven to be "Infrastructure Governor but also Human Development Governor."

The event was well attended by top government officials including the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, members of the Imo State expanded Executive Council, heads of traditional rulers of the 27 Local Government Areas in Imo State led by Eze Imo, HRH Eze EC Okeke, critical stakeholders, among others.

Governor Uzodimma's speech read:

"It is my utmost pleasure to address you today as you commence your three-day retreat, which centres on public sector governance. A retreat, by its nature, is a time for you to take stock of what you have done, soberly reflect on what ought to have been done, and gear yourself towards the attainment of the expected goals. It is necessary for us as individuals and public servants to periodically engage in this kind of serious reflection to aid us in the performance of our duties to the electorate.

"When the Progressive Institute was inaugurated on Friday, 6 September 2024, I made a promise to engage it in organising retreats and workshops for officials of the Imo State Government. The aim was to draw on the rich experience of its resource persons. For those who may not know, the Progressive Institute is a think tank of the All Progressives Congress, created to ensure that officials elected or appointed under its platform do the right things the right way. Today, I can proudly say that I have kept that promise.

"Beyond that, this particular retreat is important because of its focus, which is on Public Sector Governance. I have often observed that some officials get elected into office without any kind of template to drive a vision for performance. Some just believe that the election is an end in itself and not a means to an end. That is why they leave office without adding any tangible value to the system.

"However, when you have a valuable and vision-driven roadmap, it becomes very easy for you to achieve your sustainable goals. Public office, whether elected or appointed, is a noble calling. It is a rare privilege to be among the select few entrusted with the responsibility of serving the people. With such trust comes the duty to give your very best, to act with integrity, and to ensure that your actions reflect the honour of the office you hold.

"As elected council chairmen, councillors, and appointed local government officials, your sacred mandate is to showcase the alluring benefits of democracy to our people. Among them must include transparent, open, and accountable governance processes. Through your conduct and actions, you must make the grassroots appreciate why democracy is the best form of government. To achieve this will mean that you must follow the due democratic process in all your actions.

"Public funds must be judiciously appropriated for public good. Councillors must regularly consult with relevant stakeholders in their wards to ensure the interests of the ward are accommodated in the values allocated by the local government council. The council chairmen must hold regular stakeholders? meetings to appraise local government stakeholders of their policies and programmes. These are the ways to ensure inclusivity and transparency.

"In addition, councillors and chairmen are the ambassadors of the APC in their respective wards and Local Government Areas. You must set the right example and inspire confidence by residing in your wards and council areas. Security agencies have been directed to monitor your movements and report those who fail to do so in their periodic reports.

"You cannot be an absentee councillor or chairman. Let me be clear, not residing in your constituency amounts to abandonment of office. Once established, the necessary constitutional processes shall be applied to declare the office vacant. I believe a word is enough for the wise.

"Furthermore, the State Government has established and is funding vigilante groups in each of the 655 autonomous communities. Councillors must therefore liaise with town unions and traditional rulers in the communities that make up their wards so that the vigilantes function optimally. The vigilantes are members of the community and should know who is who; if they cannot identify criminals in their own communities, then who can? Working closely with security agencies, you must ensure that insecurity is stamped out from your domains.

"You must also note that public office comes with its own cross. People will criticise you for doing well. Rabble-rousers will use you to shine by playing to the gallery to claim they can do better than you. You will fail if you allow charlatans to distract you. Constructive criticism is a good balm for democracy, but malicious attacks are cancerous agents of democracy. Ignore them, keep your eyes firmly focused on the goal, which is service to the people, and success will be your portion.

"As people elected and appointed by an APC government, another challenge before you is to serve the people based on the manifesto of the APC. This is where the resource persons from the Progressive Institute are handy. I am sure they came prepared with all the things you need to know in this respect.

"Generally speaking, public sector governance simply refers to the systems, processes, and practices that guide the operations of government and public organisations. It encompasses the rules, structures, and decision-making processes that ensure public resources are managed effectively, ethically, and accountably to achieve public goals.

"It also involves establishing clear goals and objectives for public organisations and aligning resources to achieve them. Key factors, such as accountability, transparency, efficiency, and integrity, are essential for achieving effective public sector governance.

"I already mentioned that you need to engage citizens and stakeholders in decision-making processes and ensure that policies are developed through a transparent and participatory process and effectively implemented.

"It goes without saying that you must hold yourself so far from corruption that even suspicion cannot reach you. You are aware that this 3R government abhors any kind of corruption. That is why those who criticise it will never find any shred of evidence to nail us. They may bandy hollow figures around, but that is where it all ends. Do not give them any room whatsoever to justify their bogus claims. Like Caesar?s wife, you must be above suspicion.

"As beacons for the development of our local government areas, the chairmen, councillors, and supervisory councillors must ensure that they deliver on their mandate. The local government is the first contact that the citizens have of what is called government. You must, therefore, impress them with your sterling performance. Both the traditional rulers and presidents-general of the town unions are watching your performance, and their reports to me will be taken seriously. You may, therefore, do well to pay attention to the resource persons to learn ways that you can enhance your service delivery to the people.

"I hereby charge the Commissioner for Local Government to take more than a passing interest in the performance of the officials. I am aware of the Supreme Court ruling regarding the funds of local governments, which this administration fully supports and adheres to. I am also aware of the State?s constitutional responsibilities in the oversight of the councils. All of them are geared towards greater efficiency and productivity in the councils for the overall benefit of the people.

"Let me formally welcome the officials of the Progressive Institute who are here to oversee this retreat. Feel free, for our people are hospitable. I guarantee you that you are safe to go round the State and savour her legendary hospitality.

"It is now my pleasure to declare this retreat open and to wish you a very successful exercise. I wish you safe return to your respective stations."

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