Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has sworn in Local Government Interim Executive Council Chairmen amid the push from the Federal Government to grant full autonomy for the 3rd tier of government.
Recall that the federal government recently approached the Supreme Court to compel the governors of the 36 states to grant full autonomy to the Local Governments.
The suit number SC/CV/343/2024 was filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) on behalf of the Federal Government.
One of the prayers of the Federal Government in the suit was, “an order stopping governors from constituting caretaker committees to run the affairs of local governments as against the Constitutionally recognised and guaranteed democratically system”.
Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alia, Sir, Kula Tersoo in a statement on Friday said, during the swearing in ceremony held at the Benue State Government House, Makurdi, the Governor charged Council Chairmen to ensure quality service delivery to the people.
Sir Tersoo explained that the governor had previously written to the Benue State House of Assembly, requesting for extension of the tenure of the LG Interim Executive Council Committees to allow the BSIEC, enough time to prepare and conduct the LG Council elections in the state.
He further explained that 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.
Tersoo said, while performing the swearing-in ceremony, the governor charged the Chairmen to shun excuses and serve their Local Government Areas diligently, in order to ensure their work reflects the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state.
Alia urged them to give their best, especially as his administration has granted autonomy to the local governments, asking them to remain at their various duty posts, attending to the needs of the local people and ensuring they enjoy the dividends of democracy.
He challenged them to copy the infrastructural strides at the state level down to the local government level, saying it is his administration’s plan to ensure such infrastructural developments are replicated at the third tier of government in the state.
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).
Others are, 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).
