… decries poor handling of govt properties, projects
The Cross River State Government through its Ministry of Local Government Affairs has charged the local government administrators on accountability and professionalism in handling and supervision of Government properties and projects across communities in the state.
The Honorable Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Stella Oreme Odey stated this in Etung Local Government Area while on assessment tour to the LGA. “Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade the executive Governor of Cross River State, has sent me here to assess the facilities and see things for myself and report accordingly for onward intervention. As you all know His Excellency cares a lot about the staff especially the LG being the closest to the rural populace, the downtrodden in particular”. There must be trickle down benefit to the rural areas through proper monitoring of Government projects.
Odey lamented on the lackadaisical and negligence of some departmental directors, stating that, it is the responsibility of heads of department to oversee projects and see to it effective completion in the local government. “The Government haven sent contractors to execute projects in the local government must not supervise the projects for you, you owe yourself and the LG the responsibility of supervising and seeing to full and perfect completion of the projects. Prof. Ben Ayade is a man of accountability and wants same replicated in all facets of Government.
Hon. Odey demonstrated the reward for hard work and accountability by gifting the most hard working staff in Etung LG a cash gift, and enjoined him to do more, serving as example to others. She directed that, instead of complaining of deficit of staff in a department other department with more staff should be trained to function in areas with staff deficit.
The Head of Local Government Administration, HOLGA, Mrs. Kate Amaga, welcomed the Commissioner and her inspectorate team. She applauded the Governor Prof. Ben Ayade for considering it imperative to appoint a workaholic Mrs Odey as Commissioner of Local Government. She specially commended the Commissioner for embarking on assessment tour across the 18 LGAs, saying it’s the first in the history of the ministry. The HOLGA highlighted their successes and few challenges and the Commissioner took note and promised to convey the message to His Excellency the executive Governor of the state.
On internally generated revenue IGR, the Commissioner charged that, cocoa warehouse be built where cocoa could be stored and sell to people as this would boost the LG’s IGR. The Commissioner advised heads of department to device other means of revenue generation so as to keep the activities of the LG going. “Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade is now a farmer because he want to see the state working. He is not folding his arms waiting for allocation from federal government because the allocation can do little. It is because of his rational thinking that we are receiving salaries as at when due. We must think outside the box as well”.
“I see people treating Government properties with levity, this is unhealthy for us as a people. For whom much is given much is expected, we must put security in place to guard all government projects for the benefit of the rural dwellers.
She also directed the head of Education, and the marriage registrar to sensitize people on marriage registration in the LGA, as it could also boost the Local Government IGR. She urged the Agric head to key into fish farming, rice farming, cocoa farming, and other means of revenue generation.
