By Nudoiba Ojen
Local government chairmen and their deputies in Akwa Ibom have been cautioned against misapplying the concept of autonomy in their respective councils.
Governor Umo Eno spoke while swearing in the council officials elected in Saturday’s local government elections in the state.
In the election, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party won in 30 local governments while the opposition All Progressives congress won only Essien Udim Local Government.
Speaking during the swearing-in held at the Government House, Uyo, on Monday, Eno said no arm of government can operate in isolation.
He urged the council chairmen to embrace synergy among the various tiers of government, assuring that he will respect their autonomy.
“Each of you are now autonomous in your financial dealings, which means you will receive your funds directly. But remember, we have shared responsibilities, and those shared responsibilities must be carefully thought out: how our teachers will be paid across board, how their allowances and gratuities will be paid.
“We will continue to work collaboratively with all of you to bring good governance to our people. That’s what they expect us to do.
“We expect that we sit down and understand our shared commitment to our people. There is really no autonomy in governance. We all must make sure that our people have what is needed.
“Let me add here that autonomy does not mean you are running separate entities from the state government. You are an integral part of the machinery of government, and in governance, you are expected to align your actions and policies with our governance blueprint, the ARISE Agenda,” Eno said.
While congratulating the chairmen on their victory at the polls, the governor warned them against abandoning their domain to live in the city.
He said, “We will not encourage visiting chairmen. Live in your respective local government areas. Stay in your various areas of jurisdiction. You are autonomous, so stay in your autonomous communities.”
Addressing the only opposition chairman, the governor said, “your election and subsequent swearing-in today means that the process was fair. So you’re expected to imbibe our spirit and work with the government of the state to ensure that we deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. There is no APC or PDP in governance. Let them see you as the Chairman of Essien Udim, and not the Chairman of APC. That is my admonition to you.”
Responding on behalf of the newly sworn-in chairmen, the returning Chairman of Eket Local Government Council, Akaninyene Tommy, thanked the people for the massive support that saw to his emergence and other candidates of the PDP.
He said the performance of the PDP at the election was a reflection of the impressive performance of the Governor Umo Eno led PDP government in the state, as he assured that the chairmen would replicate the track record of the governor at the LG level.
