The Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo has sworn in Capt. Barr. Casmir Nwafor Rtd as the Transition Committee Chairman of Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.
Others sworn in by Governor Soludo as Transition Committee Chairmen include: Ifeanyi Chiweze (Anambra East), Fidelis Nnazo (Anambra West), Romanus Ibekwe (Anaocha) Chinedu Okafor (Awka South), Alphonsus Ofumele (Ayamelum), Chijioke Ozumba (Dunukofia) and Stanley Nkwoka (Idemili North), Chinedu Ononiba (Njikoka), Val Ezeogidi (Nnewi South), Franklin Nwadialo (Ogbaru), Anthony Nwora (Onitsha North) and Shedrack Azubuike (Orumba South).
The swearing-in follows the confirmation of their appointment by the state House of Assembly in line with Section 208 of the Local Government Law, 1999 as amended, as requested by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Speaking during the swearing in ceremony which took place at the Government House, Awka on Wednesday, Soludo congratulated the new TC Chairmen on their appointment while equally commiserating with them over lack of funds and the enormous tasks ahead of them.
While reminding them of the oath of office and oath allegiance which they had taken earlier, the governor charged them to take the two oaths seriously saying, “”This is a call to service, a call to do something beyond yourself. Know that you are now being called upon to serve public purpose.”
Amazed that people often misinterpret what public office was all about, Soludo reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to ensure that every penny would be deployed to serve the people of the state.
His words, “Our mantra is doing more with less. You are called upon in very challenging times where you have humongous responsibility but with minimal resources, joined to the fact that the purchasing power has gone down. We are very deliberate to have a local government devoted to service delivery to the grassroot.
“”Of course, there are legacy issues, including backlog of pension arrears. We have been systematically clearing all of these, and we will keep on clearing it. “I must reiterate that everyone who has retired since I assumed office, have received their gratuities.”
Continuing, the governor said, “”Our major emphasis is on transparency and accountability. The whole purpose is for you to do something greater than self. This position is not about titles. Here at the state level, we play down on the titles because these titles can become quite distracting. I am not interested in phantom titles. If you tell me your title, I’ll ask about what you accomplished with your title.
“I’m glad that I took pains to interview each of you. Having done so, I’ve absolute confidence that you have what it takes to put your local government on the map. It is now for you to show it.
“There will be a retreat in the coming days. It’ll give you the opportunity to reflect on what the job is all about. For me and ndị Anambra, our expectations are very high. You may have heard about our Public-Private-Community-Partnership, PPCP model. We enjoin all of you to deploy it in your respective local government areas.”
Earlier in his introductory remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr. Tony Collins Nwabunwanne applauded the governor for his approach to administering local government system in the state while assuring the governor that the new Transition Committee Chairmen were thoroughly screened and had been found worthy to be entrusted with such office.
“I see courageous chairmen, I see determined and bold Chairmen. They are ready to implement the manifesto, to deliver on the mandate”, Nwabunwanne assured.
Speaking in an interview with Primetime Reporters shortly after his Inauguration, the new Transition Committee Chairman of Orumba North Local Government Area, Hon. Capt. Barr. Casmir Nwafor Rtd thanked Governor Soludo for finding him worthy of such position even as he promised not to disappoint the confidence the governor reposed on him and not to disappoint the people of Orumba North.
He assured that his administration will bring about the prosperity of the people of Orumba North as he vowed to key in to the vision of the governor to make Anambra State a liveable and prosperous homeland where every Anambra man and woman would be proud to live and call home.
Photo: (L-R): Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Hon. Capt. Barr. Casmir Nwafor Rtd, the new Transition Committee Chairman of Orumba North and Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Chief of Staff to the Governor during the Inauguration ceremony at Government House, Awka Wednesday.
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