OBI TASKS NEW LG CHAIRMEN ON GOOD GOVERNANCE, DEMOCRACY

The Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has urged the newly swornin chairmen of the 20 local government councils to support the incoming administration of Chief Willy Obiano.

Speaking in Awka during the swearing-in ceremony of the twenty local government chairmen, who were declared winners of the local government election held last Saturday, Obi urged the chairmen to strive and promote democracy and good governance in their areas of authority.

Obi, who stated that the local government system occupies a strategic position in the developmental process, described the election which made their (chairmen) rise to power as a very important one, coming sixteen years after the last election was held in 1998.

He said that his administration has lifted the local government system to a high level since 2006, when he became governor.

The local government councils, whose chairmen took the oath of office and allegiance, were Awka South, Awka North, Idemili North and Idemili South, Aguata, Oyi, Orumba North, Orumba South, Ihiala, Ogbaru, Dunukofia, Anaocha, Njikoka, Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayamelum, Ekwusigo, Nnewi South, Onitsha North and Onitsha South, while a fresh election will be conducted on Saturday in Nnewi North to elect the chairman that will administer the council for two years.

The premises of the Government House were turned in to a carnival arena as supporters of the successful chairmen, who came with traditional dance groups, kept themselves busy playing music and traditional dances.

At the end of the swearing- in ceremony which was witnessed by cronies, family members and supporters of the successful chairmen, the Governor held a close-door meeting with the new helmsmen and their predecessors in office, who functioned as transition committee chairmen.

It was gathered that the meeting dwelt on the need for a smooth handover between the elected chairmen and the transition committee chairmen, who lost their jobs yesterday following the swearing-in of the new chief executive officers of the twenty local government councils.

Source: National Mirror