C'River Local Govt. Affairs Commissioner Assumes Duty, Tasks Staff On Roadmap For Rural Transformation
By Edem ITA
Principal staff of the Ministry of Local Government Affairs in Cross River have been tasked to develop a comprehensive blueprint to guide the state in formulating viable policies and programmes needed to jump-start socio-economic development at the grassroots.
The new commissioner in the state Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Chief Victor Felix Idem gave the charge while addressing the staff of the ministry during his maiden meeting.
According to him: "As the engine room of government, it is incumbent on the technocrats in the system to fashion out a framework with viable options vital to driving the rural transformation of our localities which is the core mandate of our ministry".
"This is of utmost necessity to guarantee the attainment of our statutory mandate which entails setting an agenda to steer the economic growth of our rural communities to enable our people to feel the impact of government".
He noted that the absence of such a guiding tool has been largely responsible for the failure of successive local government administrations to create meaningful impact in their domains stressing; "Such negative trend must be halted if the people-first mantra of this administration must be achieved".
The new Commissioner expressed appreciation to God for divine favour and the state Governor, Senator Bassey Otu for finding him worthy to be saddled with the huge task of presiding over the ministry, assuring that he will work assiduously to justify the confidence reposed in him.
Chief Idem stated"I am delighted to see this cream of seasoned bureaucrats handling affairs in this great ministry, our ministry is a peculiar one with our operations covering the nooks and crannies of the state. We must work as a pragmatic, focused, and determined team to register optimum impact"
The commissioner sued for hard work, dedication transparency, accountability as well strict adherence to civil service rules, emphasizing that staff welfare and a conducive working environment will be accorded a top priority under his watch to ensure optimum service delivery.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Barrister Leonard Egede listed the dearth of manpower arising from massive retirement in the state civil service as a major challenge rattling the ministry.
Barrister Egede disclosed that the staff are fully mobilized and set to give their best towards achieving set targets.
