By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has directed Chairmen of the nine Local Government Councils in Delta North Senatorial district of the state to submit performance report covering their first 100 days in office.
The Assembly Committee also requested for Personnel Strength of the various Councils, Number of Political Aids currently engaged, Wage Bill, Jobs and Contracts executed or ongoing within the 100 days period as well as records of how much they have received since assumption of office.
The directive were the highlights of the Monday 4th November 2024 meeting between Members of the Committee and Chairmen, Heads of Personnel Management and Treasurers of the nine local government councils in Delta North Senatorial District of the State.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon (Chief) Chukwudi Dafe, who read out the order, directed that all requested documents should be in 16 copies, enclosed in sealed envelope, and addressed to the Chairman House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, to reach the Clerk of the Committee, Mrs Uche Nwugbana on or before Tuesday 11th November, 2024.
Flanked by some members of the Committee including Hon Oboro Preyor, Bomadi, Emmanuel Sinebe, Patani, Isaac Anwuzia, Aniocha South and Augustine Uroye, Warri South 1, Hon Dafe who represents Ukwuani Constituency, said the meeting was in line with Constitutional provisions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered.
He stated that the interactive session with Chairmen of Councils in Delta North and management team was far reaching and revealing, disclosing that those from Delta Central and South will take their turns.
Hon Dafe had while welcoming the Chairmen to the meeting, congratulated them for their victories at the polls, subsequent inauguration and celebration of their 100 days in office.
The Lawmaker pointed out that it was the first official meeting between the Committee and the Chairmen since their assumption of office and stressed on the need for all to foster good and cordial relationship with one another.
The Ukwuani Representative drew the attention of the Chairman to section 60 sub section (5A and B) of the Local Government Law as regards appointments into political offices and advised that it should be strictly adhere to.
A Member of the Committee, Hon Oboro Preyor, spoke extensively on the need for the Chairmen to respect rules and regulations guiding activities of the councils.
Hon Preyor gave a brief overview of the Delta State Fiscal Responsibility Law and reminded the officials that no contract should be executed outside what were provided in the Budget.
He also advised the Chairmen on the need for a training program to keep themselves abreast with the current MTEF and FSP guidelines on budgeting, income and expenditure in line with the M.O.R.E Agenda of the present administration in Delta State.
For his part, Hon Augustine Uroye, stated that the laws regulating activities of the 25 Local Government Councils in the state placed their supervision under the purview of the State Assembly and emphasized the need for all parties to respect provisions of the law.
In their contributions, Hon Isaac Anwuzia and Emmanuel Sinebe, commended the large attendance to the meeting and stressed on the need for the Chairmen to maintain a good working relationship with the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as such will promote peace, security and good governance at the grassroots.
The Chairman, Ndokwa West Local Government, Chief Obi Nzete who responded on behalf of himself and others, thanked the Chairman and Members of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy for the robust interactive session.
He said the Councils are very much aware of powers of House committees in carrying out their oversight functions, even as he assured of good working relationship with all stakeholders.
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