OGU/BOLO CARETAKER
CHAIRMAN SWEARS IN OVER 150 POLITICAL AIDES FOR EMPOWERMENT PURPOSES
….Berates opposition for
celebrating in ignorance over Supreme Court Judgment on Financial Autonomy for
Local Govt.
The
Chairman Caretaker Committee of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area has sworn-in
over 150 appointees into office as a means of economic empowerment and wealth
creation.
Addressing
the appointees after taking their oath office at the Ogu Magistrate Court,
Evans Bipi said the move is in line with the directive of Governor Fubara and
his policy on stomach infrastructure to empower the people with appointments as
part of measures to mitigate the current economic hardship at the grassroots.
He
said the appointment slots were evenly spread across the twelve Wards of
Ogu/Bolo and even to non-indigenes to ensure balance representation,
inclusivity and a sense of belonging in governance.
Evans
Bipi asserted that the appointment will enhance the financial capacity of the
appointees with a far-reaching ripple effect on their families and communities.
“The
appointment of over 150 aides is part of my empowerment programme to ensure
financial inclusion and enhance the financial capacity of breadwinners in
Ogu/Bolo to enable them meet the rising needs of their households amidst the
current economic situation in the country”.
The
Caretaker Chairman also urged the people of Ogu/Bolo to remain peaceful in the
face of provocation by loyalists of the FCT Minister in the area.
He
said though no one has a monopoly of violence but members of the Simplified
Movement in Ogu/Bolo decided to toe the path of peace due to the peaceful
nature of Governor Fubara.
“God
is on our side, Our Governor is a peacemaker, let’s toe the path of peace, let
us not be swayed or intimidated by their lies, they live by lies. Our Governor is
a man of few words, he does not talk much but he does much, so don’t join issue
with them”
Evans
Bipi also berated the opposition for jubilating in ignorance over the Supreme
Court verdict on financial autonomy for Local Government system not knowing the
implication of the judgment.
“The
Supreme Court gave a judgment that federal allocation should be paid directly
to the 774 Local Government Areas of the country and some people are jubilating
ignorantly not knowing the implication of the judgment, truly ignorance is a
big disease”.
“What
it means is that as against the usual practice the allocation should be paid
directly to me your Council Chairman for the delivery of governance to you and
not to someone else who is not the Council Chairman.”
“It
is laughable that some people decided to deliberately misinterpret the judgment
to soothe themselves, hoodwink the public and give their gullible followers
false hope”.
The
Ogu/Bolo Caretaker Chairman Evans Bipi also charged the appointees to key into
his development agenda, bring their experiences to bear and contribute
positively to the development of the LGA.
“I
charge all appointees to key into my vision and policy direction on economic
empowerment a.k.a stomach infrastructure and human capital development which
aims at reducing the scourge of hunger and hardship in our land”.
“As
you assume your new roles today, I urge you to be diligent, upright and live
above-board in all your dealings in office”.
“You
must bring your experiences to bear and make positive contribution for the good
governance of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area”
Responding
on behalf of the appointees, the Confidential Secretary Christy
Tamunobereton-ari expressed appreciation to the Ogu/Bolo Caretaker Chairman
Evans Bipi for given them the opportunity to serve and at the same empowering
them financially with the appointments.
Singed:
Emeka Idika Kalu,
Chief Press
Secretary,
Ogu/Bolo
Local Government Area,
Saturday 13th
July, 2024.
