by The recently appointed mayors of the 17 LGAs and their deputies have been sworn in by Governor Alex Otti with a charge for them to make the communities and towns conducive for active production and rapid growth.
Speaking at the Michael Okpara Auditorium Umuahia, venue of the ceremony, Governor Otti said the event marks yet another strategic step in his steady push to meet the developmental needs towards harnessing the extensive opportunities that abound in all parts of the state for the wellbeing and prosperity of the people.
The state Governor used the forum to remind the newly sworn in mayors and their deputies to see their appointments as a call to service and promised that the state will give them the free hands to carry out their responsibilities .
He also advised them to develop and design their programmes in a way that align with the general development of philosophy of the present labour party administration in the state.
The Governor said his government is presently working with amalgamation of critical stakeholders to guarantee the safety of lives and property in all parts of the state, noting that Abia has become one of the safest places to reside and do business courtesy of the responsive security architecture put in place by his government.
The state chief executive urged them to see their first task to include strengthening the security architecture in the towns and villages within their domain especially as the yuletide draws nearer as no part of the state will be ceded to any group of criminals.
The Governor also announced that his administration is working with multiple stakeholders including multilateral donor agencies, global IT Companies and local financial institutions to develop a robust framework for addressing the critical challenges facing the people at the grassroot levels.
Governor Otti said his government is in a hurry to elevate the standards of leadership and strive to develop a holistic frameworks for improving agricultural light scale production to enhance outputs and attract domestic and foreign investors.
The Governor thanked members of the state House of Assembly for fast- tracking the screening process, describing members of the House as partners in the efforts to building a better society where
the common riches of the land are deployed in honest service to the present and future generations.
Speaking earlier, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu noted that the newly sworn in mayors would drive home the developmental template of the governor at the grassroot and congratulated them.
Responding on behalf of the mayors, the mayor of Isialangwa South LGA, Dr Elelenta Nwanbuisi Elelenta while describing Governor Alex Otti as a God sent to redeem Abia from the years of maladministration, said their inauguration marks the begining of a new era.
The Abia State Deputy Governor, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu, the Speaker, Abia House of Assembly, Chief Emmanuel Emeruwa, other members of the House of Assembly, members of the state executive council, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, the state chairman of Labor Party, Elder Ceekay Igara, the state traditional rulers council represented by Eze Nto Mba, among other distinguished Nigerians attended the swearing in ceremony.
