By Onwa Ekor
Following the 90 days suspension slammed on the erstwhile Chairman of Bekwarra local government council, Hon. Theresa Ushie, by the State House of Assembly for abuse of office as alleged by the Bekwarra Legislative Council, Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has sworn in an acting chairman of the Council.
The acting chairman who took his oath of office and allegiance at the State Executive Chambers in Calabar, is Hon. Egbung Odama Egbung, who hitherto was the Council Vice Chairman before his elevation.
At the swearing in ceremony witnessed by the Speaker, Cross River House of Assembly, elders and stakeholders from the local government area, Otu charged the new acting Council Boss, to ensure he regains the lost manhours by hitting the ground running immediately.
“Work with the elders of Bekwarra, men and women and make sure that whatever period you lost, this time you regain so that you can meet other local government areas,” the governor said, adding that, “other local government areas have gone very far, so we want you to catch up immediately, as quickly as possible.”
Otu enjoined Egbung to discharge his duty without fear or favour as he looks forward to receiving reports that he is not only doing well but carrying his parliamentarians along.
His words: “You must be able to carry your parliamentarians along, if not so, you will not be getting it right. The parliament is an entity, there has to be that collaboration for you to be able to deliver.
“We have had issues in Bekwarra local government from the inception of the Council, I have been trying to resolve these nagging issues because it is not about the personality, not about the individual, not about the office, it is about service to the people and anything that will distract service in any way is something that we will continue to frown very seriously,” the governor warned.
To all local government chairmen, Otu enjoined them to see the new Council Boss as their colleague while offering him his right of place, adding that, all the benefits and paraphernalia of office that were enjoyed by his immediate predecessor be accorded him.
Applauding all Council chairmen for their dexterity and hardwork since their victory at the polls and subsequent assumption of duty, the governor pointed out that “at any point in time there are issues like these, we will not fail the system, we will confront that problem and ensure that the problem is over.”
He added that, “all local government chairmen should carry their legislators along and make sure there is harmony and peace.
“We are moving forward and nothing can move us back, we will continue to build that bond of unity, making sure we change Cross River for gone are those days when people come to shortchange us, nobody, not in this my time will shortchange Cross River,” Otu assured.
Responding, Egbung pledged to focus on what the ‘people’s mantra’ requires of all, admitting that he would only engage in things that will bring glory to the local government and in extension the state and nation at large.
“I am like a unifier, we are going to hit the ground running, we will not deviate, God will lead us aright and we are going to do the best for the growth and development of Bekwarra and Cross River,” the acting chairman said.
Earlier, Secretary to the State government, Prof Anthony Owan Enoh, informed that the event was in line with the biblical injunction which says, “He takes one up and brings another down.”
Egbung who was Secretary of Vice Chairmen Forum in Cross River is married to Mrs Sandra Egbung, a Certified National Accountant (CNA).
