Cross River Lawmaker takes LG Principal Officers to Task on Professionalism, Good Conduct
By Uket Oka, Calabar
The Member representing Bakassi State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly (CRHA), Hon Bassey Eyo, has advised Principal Officers of local government areas in the state to exhibit high level professionalism and good conduct in the discharge of their duties.
Hon Eyo, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government, Political and Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, gave the advice during a meeting with Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs), Directors of Finance and Supply (DFS) and Directors, General Services and Administration (DGSAs) held at the House of Assembly Complex in Calabar.
He stressed the important role that local government councils play in the delivery of democratic dividends to citizens at the grassroots.
Hon. Eyo further commended the Principal Officers for administering the Local Government Councils successfully for over a year before the elected chairmen were sworn-in and reiterated the need for the Councils to key into the “People’s First” agenda of the present administration in the state.
The Legislator disclosed that his Committee would soon commence oversight visits to all the Local Government Councils to scrutinise their records and urged them to always keep proper record.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, Hon. Eyo said: “We want to ensure that they do the right thing; we are preparing to go on oversight to inspect what they are doing in their respective LGAs, no witch hunting, just an interface to ensure that they have keyed into the ‘People’s First’ agenda of our governor, Prince Bassey Edet Otu so as to bring development to the grassroots.”
Other Members of the Committee who spoke during the meeting, reminded the Council officials of the provisions of the law which mandates them to submit their Income and Expenditure Statements to the Assembly quarterly.
They further sued for synergy between the Councils and the House to enhance the development of the state.
Some principal Officers, while appreciating the Committee for the opportunity to interact with them, appealed for the Committee’s assistance to enable Councils adopt the Automated Revenue Collection Method to minimize leakages in the system.
The Committee has Rt Hon Francis, Rt Hon Davies Etta Hon Bette Obi, Hon Linus Etim and Hon Samuel Abang as Members.
Others are Hon Brian Wonah and Hon Effiong Ekarika, while the Speaker, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem and the Deputy Speaker, Hon Sylvester Agabi are Ex-Officio Members.
