We Need Effective LG System For Grassroots Development – Soludo Tells New TC Chairmen

ROSE ORANYE 

Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has expressed his government’s determination to deepen grassroots development through effective local government system.

Making this known while swearing-in the newly appointed Transition Committee Chairmen of the 21 local government areas in the state at the Government House on Thursday, the governor urged them to work towards providing solutions to the problems in their areas.

Urging them to take the Oats of Office and Allegiance which they took at the event seriously, the governor further stressed the need for them work beyond themselves and endeavor to do more with less.

” The services you are called to deliver to the people are enormous but the resources are scarce,” he said, adding that the purchasing power of the available resources has depreciated.

“We are determined to have very very effective local government system for service delivery to the grassroots and every kobo of that system must be devoted to service delivery.

“There are legacy issues the local government system inherited. These legacy issues include backlog of pension and gratuity arrears from 2018. But I assumed office in 2022. We have been systematically clearing all of these, and we will keep on clearing it.

“I must reiterate that everyone who has retired since I assumed office, have received their gratuities” he noted.

Governor Soludo pointed out that new teachers are coming onboard, among other things.

“Our major emphasis is on transparency and accountability.You are being called upon to serve.

“The whole purpose of your being here is for you to do something greater that self so that when you are out, you will be able to look back and say yes, I passed through this road. And others will say of course, you passed through this road.

“It’s not a time for bougous titles. Here at the state level, we play down on the titles because these titles can become quite distracting. I am not interested in phantom titles. If you tell me your title, I’ll ask about what you accomplished with your title.

“I’m glad that I took pains to interview each of you. Having done so, I’ve absolute confidence that you have what it takes to put your local government on the map. It is now for you to show it.

“There will be a retreat in the coming days. It’ll give you the opportunity to reflect on what the job is all about. For me and ndị Anambra, our expectations are very high”.

He further enjoined them to deploy the Public-Private-Community-Partnership (PPCP) Model in their respective local government areas to deliver democracy dividends in their areas.