BY VICTOR NWEGEDE ABAKALIKI
Following his inauguration on Thursday as the Executive Chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Hon. Stephen Ebere Nwogba has promised to work for the peace, unity and rapid development of the area, saying that his administration would pay special attention to rural roads, education and human empowerment.
Hon Nwogba made this promise while presenting his address during his reception ceremony at Nkaliki, the Abakaliki Local Government Headquarters by his council people.
The newly inaugurated council chairman noted that the expectations of his people are high but assured them of doing everything within his strength to meet up with their yearnings through the resources at his council's disposal.
He pledged to embark on a thank you visit to the 14 political wards of Abakaliki Local Government Area, saying, "during the tour, we shall articulate the priority areas to be given special attention, including but not limited to roads, water, agriculture, education, youth and women empowerment, among others."
He also promised the council people within the urban area, that his administration would not give room to any kind of discrimination, urging them to be law-abiding and always expect equal treatment under his watch.
Hon Nwogba assured royal fathers of being receptive to their reasonable advice and drink from the cauldron of the native wisdom as they continue to discharge their duties as the custodians of their values, customs, culture and traditions in the area.
To the political class, the new LG Chairman reiterated that his administration would do everything within the ambit of the law to ensure that their interests be protected.
He said: "We will always reach out to you in an unprecedented manner that would always stabilize the policy. It's on this premise that we stretch our hand of fellowship to all, to carry and pull you into our morning train for us to take Abakaliki Local Government Area to the promised land together."
The Chairman, however, charged the traditional rulers, town union presidents, other leaders and youths of the communities in Abakaliki Local Government Area especially those at the border areas to keep sustaining peace and unity within their vicinities.
He declared that the defaulters among the civil servants would not be left unpunished while promising them of using the council resources to encourage high productivity in the workforce.
He said that his administration remained open to amassing the civil servants' unflinching support and cooperation in the formulation and execution of the government policy in the council area.
He, therefore, assured that his administration would employ standard practice, transparency and strict accountability in the evolution and execution of government policy and programs, describing these as the hallmarks of good governance and modern democracy.
While expressing readiness to welcome constructive and developmental criticism, that would add value to human endeavours, Nwogba, said his administration would not tolerate anachronistic concepts aimed at derailing the council, running individuals or groups down.
He cautioned those who might be working with him to steer clear of bigotries, backbiting and corruption, assuring that his administration would maintain open door policy, to welcome modern ideas that will take Abakaliki Local Government to greater heights.
Earlier in his address, Hon Nwogba thanked the Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, the State Governorship Candidate of the APC, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Stakeholders and the entire good people of Abakaliki Council Area for their unimaginable support, stressing that 2023 would prove that Abakaliki Local Government Area is solely for APC.
Meanwhile, other speakers during the event including the immediate past Chairman of the Council, Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele (Okpobe Chairman) now the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor, the Chairman of the Occasion, Dr Matthew Nwobashi, the APC Candidate for Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency, Chief Emmanuel Uguru, the APC Chairman in Abakaliki LGA, Hon Paulinus Attam, among others congratulated Nwogba for his successful inauguration and expressed optimism that his administration would perform tremendously well for the benefits of the council people.
