The Chairman, Caretaker Committee (CTC) of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Evans Bipi, has sworn in over 150 appointees into office as a form of economic empowerment and wealth creation.
Addressing the appointees after taking their oath of office at the Ogu Magistrate Court, Bipi said the move is in line with the directive of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his policy on stomach infrastructure to empower the people with appointments as part of measures to mitigate the current economic hardship at the grassroots.
He said the appointment slots were evenly spread across the twelve Wards of Ogu/Bolo and even to non-indigenes to ensure balance representation, inclusivity and a sense of belonging in governance.
The LG boss explained that the appointment will enhance the financial capacity of the appointees with a far-reaching ripple effect on their families and communities.
“The appointment of over 150 aides is part of my empowerment programme to ensure financial inclusion and enhance the financial capacity of breadwinners in Ogu/Bolo to enable them meet the rising needs of their households amidst the current economic situation in the country”, he said.
Bipi also urged the people of Ogu/Bolo to remain peaceful in the face of provocation by loyalists of the FCT Minister in the area.
He noted though no one has a monopoly of violence, but members of the Simplified Movement in Ogu/Bolo decided to toe the path of peace due to the peaceful nature of Governor Fubara.
“God is on our side. Our Governor is a peacemaker. Let’s toe the path of peace, let us not be swayed or intimidated by their lies, they live by lies. Our Governor is a man of few words, he does not talk much but he does much, so don’t join issue with them”, he added.
Bipi also charged the appointees to key into his development agenda, bring their experiences to bear and contribute positively to the development of the LGA.
“I charge all appointees to key into my vision and policy direction on economic empowerment, a.k.a stomach infrastructure, and human capital development, which aims at reducing the scourge of hunger and hardship in our land.
“As you assume your new roles today, I urge you to be diligent, upright and live above board in all your dealings in office.
“You must bring your experiences to bear and make positive contribution for the good governance of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area”, he charged them.
The Ogu/Bolo Council boss also berated the opposition for jubilating in ignorance over the Supreme Court verdict on financial autonomy for Local Government system not knowing the implication of the judgment.
“The Supreme Court gave a judgment that federal allocation should be paid directly to the 774 Local Government Areas of the country and some people are jubilating ignorantly not knowing the implication of the judgment, truly ignorance is a big disease.
“What this means is that the allocation should be paid directly to me the Council Chairman Ogu/Bolo and not to someone else who is not the Council Chairman.
“It is laughable that some people decided to deliberately misinterpret the judgment to soothe themselves, hoodwink the public and give their gullible followers false hope”, he said.