By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
The newly inaugurated Sole Administrator of Owerri Municipal Council, Hon. Engr. Chidebere Emeribe, has promised to engineer progress and inclusivity in the administration of the municipality, adding that better days await the indigines and residents. This was as he warned those who commit various acts of sabotage and crime against the council and its residents to stop forthwith or face the weight of the law.
The SOLAD, disclosed this while interacting with newsmen in his office recently. He also expressed gratitude to God for his appointment as well as thanked Governor Hope Uzodimma for finding him worthy to administer the affairs of the council and for his numerous achievements in the state. Hon. Emeribe, also urged the council staff to live up to expectations through patriotism and dedication to duties.
He encouraged the council workers to be productive and responsive towards their responsibilities especially reporting early to work and justifying the time spent in office in line with their rules of engagement. He added that his administration would also be workers-friendly and source of motivation in order to discourage truancy and unproductivity as he informed of his plans to emulate the leadership qualities of Governor Uzodimma.
Furthermore, Hon. Emeribe, a former Interim Management Committee Chairman of Amawom Autonomous Community and Owerri Municipal Government Monitor, noted that the critical location of the council as the seat of government that provides accommodation to people of diverse backgrounds, makes it imperative for him to be at his best to justify the task before him and the governor’s trust that he would deliver.
He said: “I will stop revenue linkages and illegalities against the municipal council and the state. We will not tolerate the activities of those who use the name of the municipal council to defraud the public in the name of collecting revenue for us. Recently, one was caught and handed over to the police. I believe that such will serve as a deterrent against others who are doing the same or contemplating on it.
I am a man of integrity and I have created positive impacts with the positions that I previously occupied both in the community and the council. And I promise to bring transformation to the council in every aspect for the good of all the indigines and residents. I am here to implement the lofty vision of the 3R Government of our indefatigable governor, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma,” Emeribe said.
He used the opportunity to extol Governor Uzodimma for his numerous achievements in the state and the municipal in particular, expressing joy that the second term of the governor would bring in unmatched transformation. He added: “The governor brought back our dignity as a people. Our people are happy and this is the only dispensation where Owerri people are carried along adequately in appointments and infrastructural development. His Excellency has set an enviable record and standard for his successor to follow.”
The council boss, pleaded with all the residents and relevant state government agencies in sanitation, traffic management among others to partner with him to move the council forward. He noted that achieving his good plans for the municipality required the cooperation of all as he assured of working assiduously towards elevating the present economic and social status of the area.
