By Abasi Ita
Staff in the top echelon of service at the Ministry of Local Government Affairs in Cross River has been charged to come up with a detailed economic blueprint to guide the state in formulating people-oriented policies and programmes needed to kick-start socio-economic development of the grassroots
Newly inaugurated commissioner of the state Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Chief Victor Felix Idem gave the task while interacting with staff of the ministry upon assuming duties.
He posited that “As the engine room of government, it’s 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”
Chief Idem opined that the absence of such a guiding tool has contributed immensely to the abysmal performance of most local government chairmen resulting in lacks of basic amenities in in our rural communities stressing; “Such negative trend must be halted if the people-first mantra of this administration must be achieved”
The new Commissioner said he will remain perpetually thankful to God for divine favour and Governor Bassey Otu for finding him worthy to be saddled with the onerous task of presiding over the affairs of the frontline ministry, maintaining 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 team spirit ,hard work, dedication transparency, accountability as well strict adherence to civil service rules, emphasizing that staff welfare and a conducive working environment will be a top notch under his watch to ensure optimum service delivery.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Barrister Leonard Egede cited shortage of manpower arising from massive retirement rocking the state civil service as a major constraint facing the ministry.
Barrister Egede revealed that the staff are already fired up to discharge their assigned roles creditable for attainment of set targets