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The Chairman, Uyo local government Transition Committee, Barr. Mfon Ben has said that the local council will, in line with the Nigerian Constitution set up the Uyo Local Government Economic Board (ULGEB) to advice him on economic matters related to the council.
The Chairman said this during a visit on him recently by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by its chairman, Elder Patrick Albert. The Council Boss noted that the Nigerian Constitution has given local authority the powers to set up such body in order to develop local areas. He argued that the Board, when set up will among other things advice him accordingly on economic matters as well as transform his vision of making Uyo great through a workable framework that will stand the test of time.
The Uyo Council helmsman commended the State governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel for prompt payment of staff salaries as at when due, “you know that staff of local government are paid directly by the state government and this makes it easy for councils. I use this opportunity to thank the state governor for being able to stabilize operation in local government areas through payment of salaries promptly”. Barr. Ben maintained that on his part, he is doing his constitutional responsibility as local council in the area of road grading to make the local people feel the impact of government since it is the closest tier of government to the people. Aside the that, he added that he has taken stock of all the 18 primary health posts in the local government area, being the highest in the state with a view to renovating and providing necessary equipment to create room for people at the grassroots to have access to good health care.
The Chairman advised Journalists in the state that in carrying out their constitutional responsibility, inform people in the proper perspectives especially to government activities, programmes and achievements. He described the present crop of NUJ leadership in the state as the best, most vibrant and result-oriented in terms of their achievement. The chairman noted that the present exco has been without litigation after election in the last three exco of the union.
Earlier in his remarks, the State Chairman of the NUJ, Elder Patrick Albert thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for appointing Barr. Ben to steer the ship of Uyo and described him as a gentleman who will give Uyo the desired leadership especially in this critical period of economic challenges. He advocate on the need for the state government to give Uyo what he described as special intervention fund to carter for critical infrastructure that are grassroots-based in view of its status of the council in the capital city.
The NUJ Boss stressed the need for partnership between the local council and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in a bit to disseminate programmes and activities of government to the people.
During the visit, the Council Chairman conducted Journalists round the council for sightseeing of some of the council’s property that need urgent intervention, which his leadership will soon commence work. Present at the visit were members of the State Working Committee, which included the State Secretary, Amos Etuk; State Assistant Secretary, Patrick Titus; Treasurer, Nsikak Okon; State Financial Secretary, Emmanuel Silas and the State Auditor, Evang. Saviour Ekpe. Others were the Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Uduak Ekong; Ex-officio, Emmanuel Effiong; Bonny Nyong and Tony Anechebe.
