June 04, (THEWILL) – Council chairman, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, Hon. Ofem Ebri Obeten, in a valedictory speech, has presented his scorecard to the people of the area.
Obeten, who is the eight executive council chairman, said criticism spurred him to give his best for the people and he has managed to deliver some democratic dividends despite the communal crisis in the area.
While presenting his scorecard at Conference Hall of Yakurr Council Guest House, to mark the end of his tenure, he pleaded for forgiveness in areas he might have fallen short in the course of his tenure.
He stressed that despite outbreak of civil disturbance between Nko and Oyedama communities, Mkpani and Aduma internal wrangling, Idomi chieftaincy tussle, which created a scenario similar to that of civil war, cultism, banditry within his council area, which almost caused him emotional breakdown, he and his team were able to surmount the problem.
He enumerated his giant strides to include erecting an ultra-modern Health centre, construction of a bridge at hospital road by Ikom- Calabar Highway, release of starter packs to over 70 youths to kick-start their small scale enterprises, upon completion of council’s acquisition programme to take them off the streets.
Others include Construction of Okoi Arikpo roundabout, renovation and furnishing of the Chairman’s residential quarters and provision of solar street lights.
“We bankrolled several medical bills particularly those operated with hernia, I also established an intellectual project where the council partnered with the Ojanga’s family and we also supported schools”, he said.
Leader of Yakurr legislative assembly, Hon. Usang Eteng Mbang, who spoke in company of Council secretary, Mr Mbang Bassey Mbang, lauded the council chairman for the cordial relationship that existed among staff of council chairman.
THEWILL reports that the 18 council chairmen in the state rounded up their three-year tenure earlier this month and the governor, Bassey Otu, directed that they hand over to their respective heads of local government councils.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
