- Safiu Kehinde
Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged newly sworn-in local government chairmen to commit themselves to serve the people and avoid perceiving themselves as emperor.
Fubara said this in address at the swearing-in ceremony held in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Following the conclusion of the local government election yesterday, the winner across the state’s 23 LGAs were sworn-in by the governor.
Recalling the challenges he faced in the course of the election, Fubara charged the new chairmen to see the opportunity as call to service.
“For the newly elected chairmen, I want you to see yourselves as servants. Once you see yourself as emperor, that is where the problem begins.
“Once you see yourselves as the one who made it all because of the power and fund in your pocket, that is when you start seeing crisis.
“But see the opportunity as a call to service, as an opportunity for you to bring people together and to deliver to the people of Rivers state. We need development in the 23 local government areas.” Fubara said.
The governor stressed further that representing the people and embracing them is the real structure of the state.
“A few things might have happened, but more needs to be done. And I’m charging you to be that ambassador.
“Ensure that you represent the people that have elected you well. Work for the betterment of your local government. Ensure that you are a servant.
“Open your doors and embrace everyone. I can assure you nothing is bigger or greater than that. And that is the structure.” He continued.
However, the governor called the attention of the new local government chairmen to an alleged plot of protest across their local governments.
He urged them to avoid confrontation in case violence erupts.
“I’m aware that they are mobilizing 20 people per unit to go and confront you tomorrow when you resume to your local government headquarters. But please if they are coming with violence, avoid them.” Fubara said.