Delta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on Monday, charged newly-elected chairmen of the 25 local government councils in the state to formulate policies and programmes that would impact positively on the socio-economic well-being of rural people.
Okowa gave the charge while inaugurating the chairmen and vice chairmen in Asaba.
He explained that it was necessary for the chairmen to make the people the thrust of the councils’ activities so as to emancipate the people from poverty to prosperity.
He noted that many people at the grassroots still lived below poverty line, adding that there was need, therefore, for the chairmen to pay special attention to the most vulnerable.
The governor said that the weak persons in the rural areas included the indigent, unemployed, widows and the physically-challenged.
“Many of our people still live below the poverty line. I, therefore, urge you to formulate policies and programmes that will impact positively on the economic well-being of your people and move them from poverty to prosperity.
“It is a fact of governance that needs always exceed available resources, hence it is incumbent on you to be resourceful and come up with creative ways to shore up your internal revenue without further burdening the people.
“It is not an easy task but it is one that you must embrace and execute,” he said.
He also urged the council chairmen to place high premium on peace and security as well as the prosperity of their people, saying that had been the fulcrum of his administration’s policies and programmes since inception in 2015.