Selfishness Bane Of LG Development – Lawmaker

The Chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly, Commissioner on Local Government, Hon. Ibaani Ikuinye has identified greed and selfishness as factors militating against development of the third tier government in the state.

Hon. Ikuinye made the assertion on Thursday while speaking with newsmen in his office on the dissolution of Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Council by the State House of Assembly.

He stated that local government arm of the government was created to complement both federal and state governments effort in bringing development nearer to the rural areas regretting that those who are entrusted with the leadership position in the local government only pursue their own personal ambitions.

The lawmaker averred that without a concerted effort, dedication and commitment by the leaders in the local government councils, it would be impossible to achieve the much touted development in the country by 2010.

He urged the elected council chairmen in the state and the country at large to always strive to improve on the lives of the people within their various local government area adding that in doing so, the state and the country will move forward.

The House Committee chairman urged the council chairmen in the state to make judicious use of the funds allocated to them for development noting that corruption can lead to insecurity in the society if not averted.

‘The local government council chairmen in the state should be able to justify the funds they received and account for it adequately.  Corruption can breed insecurity and protest in the society, when people’s funds are misused by those elected to protect it” he stated.

The lawmaker opined that the only way forward to a better local government administration in the state is the enthronement of selfless service by those placed with the responsibility of governance in the local government areas.

According to him, if the chairmen and councilors do away with greed and egocentric attitudes in the governance, development, he said would be achieved adding that non performance has become a recurring decimal pervading the local government administration in the state and the country at large.

Akujobi Amadi/Elizabeth Ephraim