Asaba - The Deputy Governor of Delta, Prof. Amos Utuama, has advised the members of the newly inaugurated local government transition and caretaker committees to serve the people and not empower themselves.
Utuama gave the advice on Tuesday in Asaba, while declaring open an orientation workshop organised by the state Directorate of Local Government Affairs for the committee members.
He said that rather than see their position as an avenue to empower themselves, the committee members should see their appointments, as a call to service and concentrate on discharging their service creditably.
The deputy governor said that good service delivery would serve as a testimonial for appointment to higher positions, adding that the programme would enable them acquire the relevant knowledge for optimal performance.
He said that local government administration was relevant, as it was the level of government closest to the grass-roots people.
"A local government that does well will deliver dividends of good governance to the people," he said. He also urged the participants to make personal efforts to train themselves.
Earlier, Mr Newworld Safugha, a Commissioner in the Directorate, urged participants to be prudent and ensure service delivery during their tenure.
Safugha said that local governments constituted the bedrock of the nation’s democracy and occupy an important position in the overall development of the country.
He said that achieving effective governance in the country depended on appropriate division of responsibilities and resources among the federal, state and local governments.
He said that the theme of the workshop, Understanding the Local Government System for Enhanced Service Delivery, was apt.
- NAN