Citizens Demand Good Governance From New Council Chiefs

Despite the mayhem and disruptions that followed the last local government elections in Rivrs State, citizens of the state have unanimously said that they expect the new council chairmen and the councils to render service and good governance.
Speaking to National Point, a community leader, Elder Joseph Anyaogwu described the violence and burning of some council secretariats as very unfortunate and diversionary to create ugly scene in the state, so that a state of emergency will be declared.
“What matters is that we now have democratically elected Government in place at the Local level. We expect that now that they have much time to concentrate and perform on their mandates, unlike when they were mere caretakers,” Elder Anyaogwu said.
According to him, the people need potable water, heath care delivery, access roads in the rural communities, employment opportunities and skill, acquisitions for the youths and as well as impactful projects amongst others.
Another community leader, Chief (Hon) John N. Amadi of Oginigba community, noted that it is a thing of joy that in spite of unwarranted opposition, the local government election has been successfully held and the new chairmen sworn in. Chief Amadi pointed out that he hoped and prayed that the chairmen will now sit down and concentrate fully in planning good policies and programmes that will have direct impact on the grassroots people.
“All the newly elected local council chairmen are young experienced people brimming with ideas and innovations. With the mandate we have given to them, I am very hopeful that they will not let the people down,” Chief Amadi said.
Mrs. Belema Amachree expressed excitement over the successful conduct of the local government election despite what she called the evil machination of enemies of progress to truncate the process.
Mrs. Amachree said, “What we have been expecting and to God’s glory it has come to pass,” adding that the new local government helmsmen would work to the satisfaction of the electorate, considering all the challenges they went through.
“With the financial autonomy granted the Local Government by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which enables the federal government to allocate funds to them direct, they will now have enough money to execute meaningful projects that will be beneficial to grassroots people”, she said, adding that, with that they have no reason to fail.
Chief (Hon) Nathaniel Wobo Chuku, a former councilor and youth president expressed confidence in the charisma and capacity of the new executive Local Government chairmen to deliver.
“Local Government administration is the third tier of government that the people can easily reach through their councilors”, he said, reiterating that the people at the grassroots are suffering so much over lack of social amenities like good water, roads, schools, health care, and what have you.
A politician and women leader in her community, Justina Ogwutum told National Point newspaper that the 5th October Local Government election was peacefully concluded to usher in the new executive chairmen that will take charge of affairs in their various Local Government Areas.
She also expressed gratitude that all the council chairmen and their councilors have been sworn in, adding that what was required of them now, was to prove their capacity to lead and deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
“When the righteous rule, the people rejoice,” she said, pointing out that she strongly believes that the Local Government chairmen whom God has chosen to liberate the grassroots people, will do everything possible to ensure that youths are being carried along, as well as the less privileged.
“I also pray and hope that jobs, empowerment, skill acquisition, scholarship, etc will be provided and the local areas developed,” she said.
For Mr. Asuquo Edet Hanny, the conduct of the Local Government election brought good tidings to the state, at least the reopening of Local Government headquarters, which will give leeway to the chairmen to concentrate and work for the betterment of the people.
A journalist with Catholic Link newspaper, Port Harcourt, Mr. Benedict Guredam commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for conducting a free, fair and peaceful Local Government election in the state, compared to other elections witnessed in Nigeria in the past.
“Yes, as a Rivers man, the 23 Local Government Chairmen have been sworn in, and we are expecting them to immediately commence work,” he said, adding that one thing is to win election and another is to work for the people because the Local Government Chairmen are closer to the people even more than the Governor.
“Now that federal allocation is coming direct to them, that money shouldn’t be in their pockets but for the development of the people. They should build roads, hospitals, schools, water, light, everything, people should enjoy the dividends of democracy and be happy with them,” he said.