BY:VITALIS UGOH, Calabar
Worried by the persistent increase on insecurity in Yakurr local government, the Executive Chairman, Hon. Ofem Ebri Obeten rose to his responsibility as chief security officer to summon a meeting with traditional rulers in the nine communities in area to rob mind over insecurity and other substances.
Hon. Ofem while applauding the traditional rulers for their support throughout the electioneering period pledged zero tolerance on cultism and other substance abuse
.
He described the latter as a stimulant for all social vices, and promised to partner with them to end insecurity in other to attract development to the local government.
He applauded the state governor, His Excellency, Senator Ben. Ayade for opening the window for governance to reach its lowest level and averred that he is in a motion to complement the state government’s fight against insecurity in the state.
Addressing the monarchs about his administration’s blueprint, Hon. Ofem lamented the lean resources he met in the Council’s treasury, stating that “the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was nothing to boast about, hence the need to reform the said IGR unit”.
.
As plans to reform the unit, the Chairman declared an on-hands revenue drive in all the Council’s revenue points. He went further to appeal the monarchs for maximum corporation to staff of the revenue unit over discharge of their duties. He also assured the traditional rulers of prioritizing their welfare even as he warned that no monarch should flaunt government’s directive on revenue generation.
In their reactions, the monarchs took separate turns to praise the Executive Chairman for bringing them to a round table for the first time after over five(5) years. Expressing satisfaction at the Chairman’s gesture, they noted that they now feel carried along as important stakeholders in the “Project Yakurr”.
They advised Hon. Ofem to borrow a leaf from his predecessors, on how best to fare with them, stressing that the no community should be placed at far reach. Also that, Hon. Ofem should not always wait for them to bring issues to his table before taking actions; stating that it was in the best interest of Yakurr that the Executive Chairman takes prompt actions whenever he hears any report, especially security related.
The monarchs, led by the Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr LGA, HRH Obol Ofem Enang emphasized the need for the council government to take their welfare to great concern, while pledging to render their required corperation at all times.
Side attention was also paid to inaccessible road networks in remote areas of Agoi communities and the current security tension in Mkpani community, both of which the Executive Chairman promised to treat with haste.
The Executive Chair
man thanked the monarchs for the manner withwhich they expressed their concerns and also the faith which they reposed in his administration and that of the State Governor while reiterating his adminstration’s commitment to the development of Yakurr LGA.
Hon. Ofem assured he will be consistent in calling the monarchs out for deliberations, howthat, the next security meeting will involve all serving security chiefs in the Area.
The meeting, had in attendance, traditional rulers of the nine(9) Yakurr communities; Leader and Deputy Leader of Yakurr Legislative House, Hon. Usang Eteng and Hon. Eze Mbe respectively; Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Barr. Fidelis Obeten; Biko-Biko Councilor, Hon. Ojah and Secretary of Yakurr Traditional Rulers Committee, Mr. Otabe Obono.