MEETING WITH ENUGU STATE GOVERNOR

6/7/2010


MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR

The meeting was held at the premises of Lion Building, government house Enugu.

On the 6th of July 2010, his Excellency governor Sullivan Iheanacho Chime held a meeting with the town union Presidents and secretaries in all the communities in Enugu state. The meeting was on the invitation of the governor. Amankwo Oghe Town Union was represented by the vice president, Mr. Innocent Okechukwu and the secretary Engr. Silas Anonde.
The governor’s address started at about 5.20pm, after due accreditation of the town union presidents and secretaries by the local government development council administrators.

First the governor apologized for lateness and for providing inadequate accommodation for the meeting. He said it was the fault of the people that did the arrangement and promised that a better accommodation will be provided next time.
The governor said that the purpose of the meeting is to find a way forward in Enugu state. He said that his government recognizes the town union as an unwritten 4th tier of the government organ, which is the grass root. He therefore called us to formalize the relation which began with his administration last year. He said that the first thing he did was to set up a committee that went to the communities to interact with the town union leaders to ascertain the real need of our people. The committee also interacted with the local government councils. The governor said it was the report of these committee visits that is used to advice all the developmental projects in the state, both from the state and federal agents.

The governor empowered the town union leaders to ensure that they supervise all projects going on in their communities, be it federal, state or local government agents. He said that the town union leaders henceforth will be held responsible for any project that failed or did not meet the specifications in their various communities. He said the town union must ensure that any project sited in their community is executed to the last and that they should report any lapses to the state government. He said that no contractor will be paid except if the town union is satisfied that that the project is carried out. The governor said it will now be a state policy to make available to the communities the terms and scope of contracts so that the town union will know what to monitor.
To ensure the implementation of the above, the governor said he will create an office, to be headed by a special assistant to the governor, who will be ready to receive reports from the town union at all time. This office will be created in one week time and the person in charge and his phone number will be communicated to the Town union presidents and Secretaries.
The governor said that his government came up with these measures to forestall what has been happening in the past. Said we will be shocked if we are told of projects that people claimed to have executed in our various communities, which never existed.

The governor also said that the performance of the town union leaders in handling the projects in their communities will be monitored and that every town union leader will have a score card. He said that communities that do well will get more projects.
SECURITY
Eradication of crime (kidnapping) in Enugu state.

The governor charged the town union lenders with the responsibility of ensuring that their communities are crime free, said we should become more security conscious and must be our brother’s keeper. ‘If we all say no to kidnapping it will not happen again, you must report any suspicious persons/movements to the law enforcement agent. A situation where people are being kidnapped in our presence and everybody will keep quiet will no longer be tolerated”. He said he congratulates us for our efforts so far, as Enugu is seen as the safest in our zone. Said Enugu state was the first to make kidnapping a capital offence (death sentence)
The governor told us that all the governors of south east met in Enugu state the previous day to discuss on the issue of security and that the following measures were taking as a way of confronting this ugly incidence:

1. If any traditional ruler is involved in any kidnapping issue, his chieftaincy title will be withdrawn.

2. If any town union leaders are found harboring kidnapers in his community, the union will be dissolved.

3. Any house used as a hide out for the Kidnappers, the certificate of occupancy of the house will be revoked; if the house is in the urban area. If the house is in the village, the house will be demolished.

The Governor said it is not an excuse that you live in Lagos or abroad, if you don’t know the people living in your house, lock it up. He said he has equally sent these massage across to the traditional rulers in our communities.
Association of Town Union leaders
The Governor instructed the Town union leaders to have an umbrella association and promised that his government will help to fund the association.
The role of traditional rulers and town union leaders
The governor said that the traditional ruler is our royal father while the town union Leader is the active role player in government. The Igwe is a ceremonial status. He said that any town union president who knows his job should have the respect for his royal father. He said that the town union leader should from time to time meet with the Igwe, informing him of what is happening in the town so that the Igwe will not feel embarrassed.
Registration of town union
Every town Union in Enugu state should be registered and have their certificates to enable them enjoy any benefits that is due for them. The registration form is obtainable from the office of human resources and poverty alleviation on payment of N1000 to the approved bank with a copy of constitution.


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