The Cross River State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government, Political and Chieftaincy Affairs, has met with the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Stella Odey, with the aim of strategising on ways of enhancing good governance at the local government level.
Chairman of the Committee, Rt Hon. Mathew Olory, stated that the meeting was necessitated by the need for the committee to be fully abreast of  developments at the local government level, adding that being armed with  adequate information, would enable them deliver on their job effectively as a committee that has oversight on local government matters
Hon. Olory highlighted the issues of interest to include, pension issues, local government political appointments, payment of salaries and arrears, reserved funds to councils, among others.
Responding, the State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mrs  Stella Odey, who received the lawmakers expressed her appreciation to the committee for finding time to visit her, described the meeting as a starting point to a strong family bond that will yield positive results.
The commissioner assured the House committee of her readiness and willingness to furnish the Committee with the necessary information that would aid in easing their job, pointing out that the issues raised were within the purview of the committee.
She noted that their insight into local government matters was imperative for the overall interest of the third tier government.
Commending the resilience of her team of workers, Mrs Odey affirmed that her ministry had done everything expected by them to ensure that chairmen of councils were comfortably settled in their respective councils headquarters, emphasising however that the supervisory role played suffer,” stressing that the present administration has continued to prioritize the welfare of Pensioners and stated that verified Pensioners usually receive their pensions without any delay.”

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar