Alia swears in Caretaker Chairmen of 23 LGCs in Benue
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
Benue state Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has charged the Local Government Council Caretaker Chairmen in the state, to assume responsibility at their respective local government councils by ensuring the deliverance of democracy dividends down to the council wards of their local government areas.
Alia further warned them against residing elsewhere in big cities to pilot the affairs of their local government councils, they should remain in their respective council so that the people would access them, feel them with their anxieties.
“Any chairman who decide to leave his or her duty post to settle elsewhere is on his own”. Alia warned.
The governor gave the charge on Thursday during the swearing in ceremony of the Local Government Interim Executive Council Chairmen, held at the Benue State Government House Makurdi.
Recall that the governor had written to the Benue State House of Assembly, requesting for extension of the tenure of the Local Government Interim Executive Council Committees to allow the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), enough time to prepare and conduct the Local Government Council elections in the state.
The State House of Assembly had on Thursday, screened and confirmed the list of nominees sent to them by the governor, replacing only Mr. Timothy Hembaor, the earlier nominee from Ushongo Local government area, with Hon. Mvendaga Atetan.
Responding on behalf of the Chairmen, the Chairman of Konshisha Local Government Area, Hon. Philip Achuah, assured the governor that they will do their best to replicate his efforts at the local government level.
He appreciated the governor for granted quasi autonomy to the local government system in the state, promising not to fail in their respective duties.
The newly inaugurated Caretaker Committee Chairmen are Hon. Guda Terkimbi Dennis (Vandeikya), Hon. Philip Achuah (Konshisha), Hon. Shaku Justine (Katshina Ala), Hon. Neji Vitalis Terhile (Kwande), Hon. Avar Verlumun (Gboko), Hon. Roy Terna Ashirga (Tarka), Hon. Agber Cephas (Buruku), Hon. James Dwem (Makurdi), Hon. Mrs Comfort Agbo (Gwer East), Hon. Henry Agba (Gwer-West), Hon. Unongo Simon (Guma) Hon. Mvendaga Atetan (Ushongo) and Hon. Iorzaa Victor (Ukum).
Others are Hon. Benjamin Uzenda (Logo), Hon. Mrs Gloria Ogebe (Ado), Hon. Barr. Philip Ebenyaku (Agatu), Hon. Ochai Alidu (Apa), Hon. Adekpe Onum (Obi), Hon. Emmanuel Agada Aba (Ogbadibo), Hon. Adugbo Idoko Fred (Ohimini), Hon. Dr. Wilson Eche (Otukpo), Hon. Onyilo Douglas Omale (Okpokwu) and Hon. Ire Arubi (Oju).