From Msughshima Andrew, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has sworn in appointed caretaker chairmen to oversee the affairs of the the 23 local governments in the state for the next six months.
Speaking during the swearing in, Governor Ortom said their appointments became necessary to fill the gaps created when the tenure of the elected chairmen expired in June.
He charged them to prioritize payment is salaries of local government staff and primary school teachers to alleviate their sufferings.
He further tasked them to team up with him and all stakeholders in their various LGs to tackle the internal and external security situations bedevilling the state.
Ortom who noted that much is expected from his second tenure assured the Benue people that he will emphasize merit and excellence in selection of appointees just as he cautioned those appointed to offer quality services to the people as justification for their appointments.
“Shun the temptation of becoming sole administrators but work with your supervisors and secretaries in arriving at decisions that will impact and add value to the devwlopment of our people.
“Above all, your activities should be geared towards achieving the noble goals of our dear party, the PDP, which is people and community based programmes to bring development closer to the people.
“You must guard against illegal practices that will destroy the image of the local government. Leadership is a call to serve. So not go and deepen the poverty of the people but dad value to them, he added.
The Next edition reports that out of the 23 Caretaker chairmen, eight were women. The governor said it was to encourage the women to participate actively in politics and also to bring to bare their loving and peaceful disposition to governance.
He therefore advised them to live and work in their respective LGs threatening to remove anyone who comes to hide or stay in Makurdi without permission.
Speaking on behalf of the appointees, the caretaker chairman of Guma LGA, Mr. Anthony Shawon thanked Ortom for finding them worthy to serve the state.
He pledged that they will partner with state government to deliver the much needed democracy dividends to the people.
