Gov. Bassey Otu (right), in A handshake with the newly sworn in Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Odama Egbung
By Anietie Akpan
A new Acting Chairman has been sworn into office for Bekwarra Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River State. He is Egbung Odama Egbung.
The emergence of Egbung is as a result of the suspension of the substantive Chairman of the LGA, Ms. Theresa Ushie from office for a period of three months by the State House of Assembly.
While swearing in the Acting Chairman on Monday, June 16, at the State Executive Council chamber, the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, in a release from his Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill, urged local government chairmen to maintain harmony and close synergy with their legislative arms and key stakeholders, stressing the importance of unity and peace at all levels of governance.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to a people-first, service-oriented leadership, noting that any disunity between the legislative and executive arms could jeopardize effective governance and service delivery.
“We will continue to defend the fidelity of the people-first mantra. Our primary concern is the quality of service to our people. The only card to play is the people’s card,” the governor stated.
“Work with the elders, the youths, and all stakeholders. We are pleased with the efforts of many LG chairmen across the state, but we will not hesitate to confront issues when necessary. No one, not under my watch, will shortchange Cross River State and go scot-free.”
Also speaking during the event, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Owan Enoh, noted that this is an opportunity for the former vice chairman to bring unprecedented results and development to the state.
In his remarks, Mr. Egbung Odama Egbung, the newly sworn-in Acting Chairman of Bekwarra, expressed gratitude to the Governor for the opportunity to serve and pledged to lead with purpose, inclusiveness, and urgency.
“I want to thank His Excellency, the People’s First Governor. I see this as a call to serve, and by God’s grace, I will not deviate,” Mr. Egbung said, adding, “I will immediately convene a stakeholders’ meeting with elders, youth, and market women to unite our people and begin the hard work of development.”
Recall that the embattled former Chairman of Bekwarra LGA, Ms. Theresa Ushie, was impeached by the Local Government Councilors and petitioned to the State Legislature as well as to the state executive of the ruling party, All Progressive Congress (APC).
Acting on the impeachment, State House of Assembly subsequently passed a resolution slamming a 90-day suspension on the former chairman and directed the swearing-in of the vice chairman to take over as chairman in an acting capacity.