Delta LG’s statutory allocation for last 3 months intact — Oborevwori

…Swears in newly elected council chairmen

….Ovoke congratulates Isoko-South indigenes

GOVERNOR Sheriff  Oborevwori of Delta State, yesterday, said the statutory allocation for local government areas in the state for the last three months were intact, telling newly elected council chairmen to hit the ground running by embarking on visible infrastructural projects,

He urged them to address the recurring problems of insecurity, poverty, unemployment, and environmental decay in their local government areas.

Speaking at Asaba, the state capital, while swearing in the 25 newly elected local government council chairmen and vice chairmen in the state, Oborevwori said: “Let your administrations be characterised by modesty, fiscal discipline, prudent management, judicious allocation of resources and excellent project delivery.

“As Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, we advocated financial autonomy for the legislature and judiciary.  The House also voted yes to local government autonomy during the fifth alteration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Therefore, the Supreme Court judgment on financial autonomy for LGs is a welcomed development.

“Actually, Delta State government has never tampered with council funds. Rather, the state government has often had to augment the allocations to the councils to enable them meet their financial obligations.

“Aside from statutory allocations, I expect you to improve on your Internally Generated Revenue and ensure it forms a sizeable chunk of your revenue.  However, I must caution that the need to boost your IGR must be carefully balanced with the needs and expectations of our people. You must be careful not to overtax an already burdened populace reeling under the painful effects of the current economic hardship.

He congratulated the newly-elected Councils Chairmen on their victory at the polls.

Responding on behalf of the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen, Chairman of Oshimili North LG, Innocent Esewezie, thanked the electorate for mandate given to them at the polls.

He assured that they have adopted the MORE Agenda of the governor and would not betray the confidence reposed in them.

Ovoke congratulates Isoko-South indigenes

Meanwhile, Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, Friday Ovoke has congratulated the people of his council over his election.

In his congratulatory message to his constituents, he said: “I heartily and joyously congratulate the entire people of Isoko South council over their decision to unanimously elect me as their substantive chairman in the just concluded council election.

“I am indeed overwhelmed by this decision and I promise to discharge my duties in accordance with the rule of law and Governor Oborevwori’s MORE agenda.”