Samuel Ortom Warns Newly Inaugurated Caretaker Chairmen Against Fraudulent Practice

23 new Caretaker Committee Chairmen have taken an oath of office as the substantive chairman of several local governments in Benue state.

The Governor of the state, Samuel Ortom who warned the new appointees not to defraud the people at the grassroots into further poverty said that the appointment of the Caretaker Chairmen was to fill the void created by the expiration of the tenure of the elected council Chairmen.

Naija News understands that the swearing-in ceremony at the New Banquet Hall of the Benue Peoples House Makurdi

The Governor also urged local government chairmen to have a good relationship with people from their areas stating that it will help them to discover their challenges, instead of relocating to Makurdi, the state capital.

He tasked the local government chairmen on excellence, stating the need to prioritize payment of salaries of workers.

He urged the council Caretaker Chairmen to also carry out projects in accordance with the needs of their communities while exploring avenues to guarantee peace and security.

Ortom made emphasis on the importance of transparency and prudence in the management of resources accruing to the councils.

He also stated his support for local government autonomy stating that implementation of the new guidelines on financial autonomy for local governments should follow constitutional procedures to avoid crisis at the third tier of government.

The Governor said that the appointment of eight women as caretaker committee chairmen and a number of youths was to ensure gender sensitivity and to encourage the youth to prepare themselves for greater opportunities.

Mr Anthony Shawon, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Guma local government area, responded on behalf of his colleagues, expressing appreciation to the Governor for the trusting them with the task and promised to live up to expectations.