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The Forum of Delta State NGOs has extended warm congratulations to the newly sworn-in 25 local government chairmen in the state and tasked them to see their election as a call to duty.

The group charged the council chairmen to serve deligently with no excuse for low productivity, as nobody is ready to be served excuses for failure in delivering good governance at the grassroot level to Deltans.

Addressing the press in Asaba, the Coordinator Deacon Okezi Odugala commended President Tinubu for instituting the landmark judgment that gave financial autonomy to local governments in Nigeria as the old song of lack of funds as a result of joint state account is no more.

Odugala said: “We use this medium to call on Delta State Local Government Chairmen and their exco and councillors to partner stakeholders as it is No More Business As Usual.

“We are delighted at the address of the Governor of Delta State during their swearing in on the 15th of July, 2024 that they should shun corruption, ostentatious lifestyles, profligacy and deliver good governance to citizens at the grassroot level who are over desirous of it.

“As the foremost NGOs coalition in Delta State on project advocacy and monitoring as well as policy tracking, we have commenced monitoring of the affairs of the local governments, deploying field assessment and digital technology as Citizens Ombudsman.
“We are partnering with local and international anti-corruption and security organizations to ensure that no shoddy projects and programmes are delivered,no over bloated expenditures ,no ghost workers,no ghost projects and programmes as we drive a new positive sustainable development narrative in Delta State.
“We want to advise that any local government chairman that is not ready to deliver good governance should respectfully resign from the office to avoid embarrassment as we will Name and Shame.
“They must think outside the box to increase their internally generated revenue in a friendly way, start innovative programmes and projects, ensure peace and security in their domain, look at partnership to deliver clean energy to the people for increase socio-economic empowerment. They should ensure prudent management of financial resources, a clean and healthy environment as a drive through most of the communities in Delta State show a poor state of sanitation and waste management as clearly stated in the address of the Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori during the swearing-in ceremony of local government chairmen in Asaba.

“In conclusion, we will not tolerate crisis between councillors and chairmen over funds as we expect much funding from federal allocation and internal generated revenues. The era of monthly impeachment will never be allowed as we call on them to serve Deltans transparently and accountably.

“The civil servants in the local government must wake up from slumber as those who do nothing and earn salaries will be unmasked as our health centres will never be locked, our motor parks and markets dirty and smelly, our roads uncleared of filth to name but a few, the era of diaspora local government officials will never be taken for granted.

“We call on all to join hands to make Delta State Local Government functional and exemplary.”