Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has charged council chairmen of the 27 local government areas and other council officials in the state to ensure the judicious use of funds allocated to their areas for grassroots development.
The governor gave the charge while declaring open a three-day retreat for elected local government council officials on effective administration.
Uzodinma described the retreat as an opportunity for council chairmen to reflect on their journey towards achieving their mandates, stressing the importance of continuous training for public servants to help them fulfil their responsibilities to the electorate.
He emphasised that the local government is the tier of government closest to the people and serves as a key driver of even development in rural areas. He urged council chairmen to involve stakeholders in decision-making and ensure policies are implemented through transparent and participatory processes.
“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,” he said.
Uzodinma further advised the officials to avoid giving the opposition any reason to criticise his administration.
“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 due democratic process in all your actions. Public funds must be judiciously appropriated for public good,” he added.
The governor also warned that every council chairman and councillor must reside in their constituencies, adding that failure to do so would amount to abandonment of office and could lead to constitutional processes declaring such positions vacant.
Uzodinma said traditional rulers and presidents-general of town unions have a duty to closely monitor the performance of elected council officials, noting that their reports will be taken seriously.
