Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has inaugurated newly appointed local government council caretaker chairmen in the state.
He charged them to ensure they deliver quality services to the people at the local level.
Governor Alia gave the charge during the swearing-in ceremony of the Local Government Interim Executive Council Chairmen, held at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi on Thursday.
Recall that the governor had written to the Benue State House of Assembly, requesting an 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.
Governor Alia, while performing the swearing-in ceremony, charged the chairmen to forfeit 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.
He 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.
Governor Alia challenged them to replicate the infrastructural strides at the state level in their local government areas, 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 granting 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 (Katsina 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).