Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Ambassador Desmond Akawor has charged newly elected Chairmen of the 23 Local Government areas to relate well with their Vice Chairmen and councilors.
Ambassador Akawor who gave the advice during a meeting with the chairmen-elect and their deputies at the State Party Headquarters in Port Harcourt, noted that working closely and building cordial relationship with their deputies and councilors would enhance governance at the local government level.
The state PDP boss also urged them to see security of lives and property in their various areas as a priority of their government, given the very poor security situation in the country.
“Considering what is happening in the economy today in the country as a whole, you are the first person they will ever contact when there is any problem. So your job is a very difficult job. One thing that is important at this period that we’ve seen that the system has collapsed is security. Security has become To Your Tent Oh Israel so we have to go and secure our people. So at the Local Government level, specifically those Local Governments that are at the border areas, you have an important role to play at this period to ensure that these people who want to destroy our system under the camouflage of either Fulani Herdsmen or bandits that they are not allowed to come into our territory. That has become a very important role for Local Government Chairmen at this point in time”, he said,
While congratulating them on their victory at the polls, Ambassador Akawor advised them to embark on projects that would add value to the lives of the people at the grassroots, emphasising that the people’s expectations from them is very high.
“Today our Governor has been seen as someone who is performing and he is being seen as a Project Governor- Mr Project. It is something that has given us a trade mark, a brand name now. There is one important thing that has disappeared in our system and that is rural roads project. Today nobody is talking about rural roads anymore. There are roads that need to be opened up. These are some of the things our Local Government Chairmen can do. You must also identify what your people need and go for it”.
He opined that there has been a paradigm shift in political activities and electioneering in the state such that under the new order election can be conducted without violence or any incident.
“It is important for us to record that there is a paradigm shift in politicking and electioneering in Rivers State and I believe we wish it should extend to other areas in the country”.
The State PDP chairman also advised the chairmen-elect to ensure proper management of the legislative arms for enhanced service delivery at that tier of government.
“You must consider their roles as very important because the way you relate with them will support your system”
.Earlier, the chairman-elect of Port Harcourt City Local Government, Hon Allwell Ihunda said their visit was to thank the party for the support and opportunity given them to serve their people.
Ihunda promised on behalf of the 23 chairmen-elect that they would emulate the performance of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike who has been nicknamed Mr Project” due to his wonderful performance in project delivery in the state .
