Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has warned newly inaugurated local government chairmen and other council officials against using public office as a means of accumulating wealth.
Nwifuru gave the warning on Wednesday in Abakaliki while unveiling a three-day capacity-building workshop organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
The workshop brought together newly inaugurated council chairmen, vice chairmen, Heads of Personnel Management, treasurers, Planning, Research and Statistics officers, as well as development centre coordinators.
Addressing the participants, the governor urged the officials to regard public office as a responsibility to the people at the grassroots and to make integrity, transparency and accountability central to their administration.
He cautioned them against allowing individuals to pressure them into taking decisions that could violate the law.
“Public office is not an avenue to become wealthy overnight,” Nwifuru said, urging the officials to ensure that every expenditure of public funds was lawful, transparent and accountable.
The governor also advised the council officials to consider the long-term impact of their decisions and protect their integrity throughout their tenure.
He urged them to place the interests of their constituents above personal considerations and remain firm when faced with pressure or criticism.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Uchenna Igwe, similarly charged the participants to establish administrative practices that promote transparency and discourage corruption.
Responding on behalf of the local government leadership, the Ebonyi State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Helen Aduga, described the workshop as timely and important for improving the capacity of council officials.
The Chairman of the Ebonyi State Coordinators’ Forum, Chidi Ogbonna, also commended the initiative, saying the training would help strengthen grassroots administration across the state.
