By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, has charged the newly elected Local Government Chairmen in the state, to always demonstrate accountability, transparency and fairness in all their dealings in office.
Governor Alia gave the charge Monday, during the inauguration ceremony for the new Chairmen at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, describing the event as a significant moment in the future of the local government administration in the state.
He urged the chairmen to immediately hit the ground running by working diligently to provide strategic leadership, charging them to uphold the highest standards of governance without fear or favour.
The governor equally tasked them to ensure they listen and address the needs of the people at the grassroots, collaborating with all relevant stakeholders at the local level with the aim of fostering an inclusive government in the interest of all.
While calling on the chairmen to collaborate with the government at the state level in order to implement policies and programmes that are beneficial to the rural communities, especially as no tier of government operates in isolation, the governor equally encouraged them to extend an olive branch to the members of the opposition parties, and to equally give room for ideas and constructive criticisms aimed at entrenching democracy and good governance in the state.
Responding on behalf of the new chairmen, the chairman of Vandeikya Local Government Area, Dennis Guda, appreciated the Governor, the leadership of the APC and the entire people of the state, for giving them the mandate to preside over the affairs of the local government councils.
He assured of their readiness to work in line with the 7-Points Agenda of the governor, and to always be in consultation with all the relevant stakeholders.