Ekiti State Government has again reiterated its zero tolerance for corruption and incompetence at its inaugural meeting with the newly sworn-in local government caretaker chairmen.
The Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka whose office supervises the Ministry of Local Government made the declaration yesterday urging them to use their tenure to replicate good governance which is the hallmark of the Dr. Kayode Fayemi led administration in the state.
While urging the chairmen to always obtain proper approval from the Office of the Deputy Governor through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs before embarking on any project or award any contract that has not been duly approved in line with their budget, she said contract splitting is a criminal offence.
According to her, “I implore you to familiarize yourselves with the procurement law and follow due process in procurement and contract awards, and ensure that whatever projects you embark are beneficial to the people and in tandem with the 8-point agenda of the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi”.
Olayinka who enjoined the caretaker chairmen to sharpen their skills and develop themselves in various fields and ICT also urged the council bosses to run open-door administration and establish cordial working relationships with their Directors of Administrations and other local government staffs to enable them succeed.
In his remark at the meeting, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Dayo Fadipe admonished the Chairmen not to distance themselves from the Ministry and to always let the ministry know their challenges on time so that it can offer proper advice on how to resolve them. He also advised them to meet with their Directors of Administration for detail brief on what was on ground.
Responding on behalf of the others, the Ekiti East Caretaker Chairman, Hon. Rotimi Ajidara thanked the Deputy Governor and the Ministry of Local Government for the meeting which he described as revealing, educating and purposeful, saying it has given them insight into some of the intricacies of their job at the local council areas.
He assured the Deputy Governor that they were ready to work in line with the accountability, transparency and probity policy of the Dr. Kayode Fayemi led administration and consolidate on the good work of the administration at the grassroots.
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Last modified: February 20, 2012