Ortom swears in 23 Benue local govt chairmen

…advises them to be prudent

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has advised the 23 newly elected local government chairmen in the state to be prudent with council funds to enable them to execute projects that wil positively impact the lives of the people.

Ortom, who stated this on Monday in Makurdi while swearing in the council chairmen, advised them against running the councils as sole administrators.

The governor said, “You should carry along your deputies and councillors, as well as other stakeholders who would help in the delivery of health care, education, agriculture services and other areas of need at the grassroots.

“The era of sharing government money with cronies or elders is over. Government money is only for development purposes to positively touch the lives of the people. Let me restate my pledge that the state government under my watch will not tamper with any money that accrues to the councils under any guise.”

Ortom pointed out that the recent anti-grazing law was timely in spite of the argument and criticism it generated, charging the chairmen to ensure its successful implementation across the state.

He said, “You are aware of the heat the bill generated. Therefore, as the chief security officers of your respective councils, you have to be alert to ensure that no individual or group take the laws into their own hands.

“There cannot be progress or development without peace. So, peace building should be your cardinal objective at all times.”

Chairman of Gboko council, Mrs. Becky Orpin, described their election as the desire of the government to bring development closer to the people at the grassroots, promising that they would not disappoint the people.

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