Yala, Cross River – The Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Elder (Dr) Fred Okem, has restated his determination to ensure the local government area moves forward to benefit all indigenes and residents.
Dr Okem restated his commitment while swearing in a 13-member Asset Recovery Committee on Monday in his office at Okpoma, the Council headquarters.
The Chairman, who frowned at the carting away of council property by some persons, said it was a terrible way to pay back to a system which has invested heavily in the people.
“A lot has been put in place by successive administrations to ensure our local government is a pride to all of us, but some people have left the place in shambles by carting away the council’s property; this has turned the council into a moribund place. If at the end of my administration, anything that belongs to the council is traced to me, I should be called to order,” he said.
Dr Okem said apart from carting away council property, many council vehicles are abandoned in many police stations and parks, which is quite worrisome, a development he said is unacceptable and must be addressed.
“Council vehicles, instead of putting them to good use for the benefit of the people, are abandoned in places like police stations for years without effort to bring them back to the council. I charge this Committee, which is made of eminent and experienced Yala sons and daughters, to ensure this ugly practice is not just stopped, but every missing item that belongs to the council is returned and accounted for,” he added.
He emphasised the need for continuity in governance where projects and programmes executed by successive administrations are secured, protected and handed over to the next government to put to good use.
He listed the terms of reference of the Committee to include:
- Identifying and classifying any asset of the local government which is corruptly and illegally taken away to be recovered and brought back to the council
- The Committee is to ascertain the state of affairs of vehicles parked in police stations and anywhere and return such vehicles to the council
- To use security apparatus where necessary to recover any identified council property illegally taken away
The Council Chairman thanked the state governor, Apostle Senator Prince Bassey Otu for making the state the envy of all by allowing democracy to work in the state and assured the governor of his total loyalty to his administration
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. John Wodah Oko, expressed his readiness to work assiduously with his members to recover every item illegally taken away from the council.
“We call for prayers because we are going to step on toes. Even if this is the last assignment on earth, I will do my best to meet the terms of reference. There shall be no sacred cows, and anyone found culpable would be made to return the item he took, and if it is destroyed, he or she has to pay back,” he noted.
State Security Adviser, North, Chief Ogbeche, said the trend is worrisome and most councils in the northern Cross River experience illegal removal of council property and called for stern measures to change the trend
He said security is a collective responsibility and called on members of the public to provide information on looted items from the councils.
“Most times the rat you are trying to pursue is within. Efforts should, therefore, be made to checkmate those working closely with heads and top officials of councils,” he queried.
The Vice Chairman of the Council, Chief Godwin Odama, who rounded off the event with a vote of thanks, thanked Dr Okem for the foresight to set up the Committee and assured that the people are with the Chairman and, therefore, should continue to be courageous.
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