Local Government councils chairmen in Cross River State have received hard knocks over what has been described as their non-performance by the state chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Austine Ibok.
Ibok who carpeted the chairmen said since they were sworn into office about two years ago, their performance, if any, has been abysmal.
Ibok who made the remarks in a press statement he made available to THISDAY on Sunday in Calabar, said as third tier of government, the local government councils are the first and most tangible contact of the ordinary peoples with government, especially in a democratic setting.
Ibok who made the remarks in a press statement he made available to THISDAY on Sunday in Calabar, said as third tier of government, the local government councils are the first and most tangible contact of the ordinary peoples with government, especially in a democratic setting.
He stated that given their closeness to the people, “the local government chairmen should deliberately pursue the implementation of programmes; project and initiative aim at improving the lives of ordinary Cross Riverians.”
Ibok said these was not the case in Cross River State as the outlines features of good performance were completing lacking in the present crop of council chairmen in the state.
“Two years after coming to power, it has become evident that the chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors have lived below expectations as clearly seen in their poor performance, misappropriation of funds as well as embarking on projects that have little or no value on the electorates leaving them to the mercies of God for survival and a total collapse of the local government system,”Ibok said.
Ibok said he was challenging the council chairmen and the PDP to show the people what has been their achievements since they were elected into office.
The LP chairman said it was only by doing so that the people will consider entrusting the local councils to them again.
He lamented the scenario where most local government chairmen spend little or no time in their respective domains and areas of jurisdiction thus widening the gap between the elected and the electorate.
Ibok stated that the desperation of some of the chairmen to get second terms in office has also led to massive embezzlement of public funds meant for developmental projects.
He observed that some chairmen have been misappropriating funds meant for development and instead use the funds in preparing for the forthcoming local government elections, adding that they “shamefully go around telling the electorates, there are no funds.”
Ibok said these was not the case in Cross River State as the outlines features of good performance were completing lacking in the present crop of council chairmen in the state.
“Two years after coming to power, it has become evident that the chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors have lived below expectations as clearly seen in their poor performance, misappropriation of funds as well as embarking on projects that have little or no value on the electorates leaving them to the mercies of God for survival and a total collapse of the local government system,”Ibok said.
Ibok said he was challenging the council chairmen and the PDP to show the people what has been their achievements since they were elected into office.
The LP chairman said it was only by doing so that the people will consider entrusting the local councils to them again.
He lamented the scenario where most local government chairmen spend little or no time in their respective domains and areas of jurisdiction thus widening the gap between the elected and the electorate.
Ibok stated that the desperation of some of the chairmen to get second terms in office has also led to massive embezzlement of public funds meant for developmental projects.
He observed that some chairmen have been misappropriating funds meant for development and instead use the funds in preparing for the forthcoming local government elections, adding that they “shamefully go around telling the electorates, there are no funds.”
Ibok expressed surprise why “a businessman will continue in a business that does not fetch him profit.”
On the preparations on his part for the expected local governments elections billed for latter in the year, the LP chairman said, the party was prepared to put in everything to emerge victorious at the polls.
Ibo said: “The determination of the party to play very active role in the forthcoming elections necessitated the decision of the state working committee of the party in a meeting last week to embark on a state-wide membership drive to further solidify the structures of the party in all the nooks and crannies of the state.”
He appeal to Ayade and the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSSIEC) to provide a level playing field for all contestants, irrespective of party affiliation, saying the LP under his watch is determined to chase the PDP out of the 18 local government councils of the state.
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