Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has charged the newly sworn-in chairmen of the 18 local government areas in the state to prioritise grassroots development, shun corruption and justify the confidence reposed in them by the people.
Okpebholo gave the charge during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Festival Hall, Government House, Benin, on Friday.
He described the emergence of the chairmen as the beginning of a new chapter in grassroots governance and development in the state.
The governor said the recent local government elections were free, fair and credible, adding that the turnout demonstrated the growing confidence of the people in democracy and his administration.
According to him, local governments, being the closest tier of government to the people, have a greater responsibility to ensure that development reaches communities across the state.
He said the renewed commitment to local government autonomy under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu had placed greater responsibility on the newly elected chairmen.
“The overwhelming victory recorded by our party at the recent polls is a call for more work. You must prioritise grassroots development, shun corruption and justify the confidence reposed in them by the people.
“I charge you to go and work for the people, complement the development efforts of the state government and ensure that the impact of government is felt in every community,” he said.
Okpebholo urged the chairmen to shun corruption, describing public office as a sacred trust and an opportunity to serve the people.
He said their legacies would be defined by the lives they touched, the problems they solved and how effectively they used the opportunities entrusted to them.
The governor also urged the chairmen to strengthen political structures at the grassroots and mobilise support for Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda.
He charged them to work towards delivering the state’s collective target of 2.5 million votes for the President, stressing that the task required hard work, unity and sustained engagement with the people.
“The best way to earn their continued support is through good governance and visible development.
“The people have entrusted you with leadership. Go and justify that trust. Serve with humility, lead with integrity and work with passion,” Okpebholo added.
He expressed optimism that the tenure of the new chairmen would bring progress, peace and prosperity to the people of Edo.
Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in chairmen, the Chairman of Oredo Local Government Area, Gabriel Iduseri, commended the governor for the confidence he reposed in them.
He said they were deeply honoured by the opportunity to serve their people, adding that they recognised that the mandate came with great responsibilities.
“We pledged our commitment to provide purposeful and transparent and people oriented leadership at the grass-roots.
“We are ready to key into the project SHINE AGENDA of the governor and the Renewed Hope of the president, and to bring development to our various local governments,” he said.