By Our reporter 

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has sworn in the newly elected chairmen of the 18 Local Government Areas of the state, charging them to prioritise grassroots development and deliver meaningful dividends of democracy to the people.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Government House, Benin City, where the newly elected council chairmen formally assumed office.

Among those sworn in was Hon. Romeo Omoike, Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area, who becomes the seventh elected chairman to administer the council since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

Omoike, who attended the ceremony in his trademark white attire alongside his wife, expressed appreciation to Governor Okpebholo, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Etsako West and across Edo State, as well as party supporters for their support and confidence in his leadership.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the ceremony, the new Etsako West chairman pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him by the people, promising to work towards meeting their expectations and delivering the dividends of democracy at the grassroots.

He said his administration would remain focused on the development and wellbeing of the people, while working closely with relevant stakeholders to advance the local government.

The occasion also attracted APC leaders and supporters from Etsako West Local Government Area, who were present to celebrate and show solidarity with the newly sworn-in chairman.

Addressing the newly inaugurated chairmen, Governor Okpebholo charged them to make grassroots development their priority, shun corruption and justify the confidence reposed in them by the electorate.

The governor described their emergence as the beginning of a new chapter in grassroots governance and development in Edo State, urging them to see their positions as an opportunity to serve rather than a platform for personal enrichment.

Governor Okpebholo said the recent Local Government elections were free, fair and credible, noting that the significant voter turnout demonstrated the growing confidence of Edo people in the democratic process and his administration.

He stressed that local governments, being the tier of government closest to the people, have a critical responsibility to ensure that the impact of government policies and programmes is felt in communities across the state.

The governor also noted that the renewed commitment to Local Government autonomy under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had placed greater responsibility on the newly elected chairmen to deliver effective governance and development at the grassroots.

“The overwhelming victory recorded by our party at the recent polls is a call for more work.

“I charge you to go and work for the people, complement the development efforts of the State Government and ensure that the impact of government is felt in every community,” he said.

The governor further warned the chairmen against corruption, describing public office as a sacred trust and an opportunity to serve the people.

According to him, the legacies of the new council chairmen would ultimately be determined by the lives they touched, the challenges they addressed and how effectively they utilised the opportunities entrusted to them by the people.

He urged them to remain accountable, responsive and committed to improving the lives of residents in their respective local government areas.