C'River: Local Government Affairs Commissioner Tasks Public Office Holders On Selfless Service, Vows To Check Abuse Of Council's IGR
By Edem ITA
The Commissioner for Local Government Affairs in Cross River, Chief Victor Idem has implored political officeholders to cultivate the habit of exploring the opportunities offered by their offices to improve the living standards of their followers, rather than appropriating such for selfish benefits.
Chief Idem who stated this when he received a cross-section of youth and women ward leaders of the Calabar Municipal Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, asserted that "Using public offices to amass wealth at the expense of the masses breed insecurity, hatred, and disunity".
The Commissioner opined that "Only selfless sacrifice to humanity championed by those entrusted with the responsibility of administering our commonwealth can foster enduring peace, harmony and stimulate economic development in the society".
He decried the selfish tendencies exhibited by some political stakeholders in Calabar Metropolis over the issue of revenue points management committees, noting that "Such posture was contradictory to the People's -First Mantra. Senator Bassey Otu-led administration and as such won't be tolerated under the present dispensation".
According to him; We evolved a novel system in place for the management of internal revenue outlets which involves engaging some of our leaders along with our teeming followers to collect and remit a stipulated percentage of money accruing from the allocated slots, while the balance was expected to be distributed equitably to members of such committees who are all jobless youths to enable them to afford at least two decent meals daily, while we perfect a stable agenda for their means for livelihood to ensure a guaranteed future for these young ones".
'But unfortunately, a clique comprising few persons want to perpetuate the injustices they have been dishing out to others in the past by pocketing the entire proceeds, to the detriment of the Local Government Council and other party followers due to over-bloated greed. We can't tolerate such misnomer".
"We have the mandate of the Governor to streamline the system and strengthen the operating mechanism to prevent such irregularities. Henceforth, the agreed percentage must be remitted to Local Government coffers to boost the internal revenue profiles of the various Councils to enable them to function effectively".
Speaking earlier, Mr Effiom Otu, who spoke on behalf of others said the visit was meant to avail them ample opportunity to express their appreciation for the bold step taken by the government to address injustices suffered by teeming party faithful in the hands of the clique who hijacked the proceeds from revenue points for their selfish interest
Effiom appealed to the Commissioners and House of Assembly Member from Calabar Municipality, Hon. Stanley Nsemo not to succumb to current campaigns of calumny and cheap blackmail but remains steadfast in sanitizing the process to curb the diversion of public funds by a few individuals.
