Dr Eric Odo, the Chairman of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, has said public office holders are not elected to complain, but be solution providers to the various challenges facing the people.
Odo said this when receiving members of of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ezi-Ukehe, led by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Asogwa and the members of the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) in Enugu on Monday.
He said that his administration would tackle issues of sexual abuse, human trafficking, drug trafficking and gender-based violence.
The chairman also pledged that his administration would focus its attention on the plight of the poor in the society, saying that his government was not exclusively for the rich.
The council boss said all efforts would be made to restore sanity in the society and protect young girls from sexual molestation and abuse.
He said that consumption of illicit drugs had led to many youths getting involved in crimes.
Odo said that the council would support the anti-narcotics agency in waging war against illicit drugs to reduce criminal activities in the area.
“We will turn things around for the people, especially those who think they cannot be part of the system.
“Government cannot be only for the rich people. I want to be known as a chairman who prioritise the welfare of the poor, the vulnerable and the downtrodden.
“We want to clean the tears of genuine poor people, who will be identified by the religious leaders.
“The era of those who call themselves party stakeholders in order to hijack palliatives or things meant for the poor has gone.
“My administration is meant to take care for the poor,” he said.
The council boss decried underdevelopment at the grassroots and promised that his government would change the status quo by ensuring that people assigned with responsibilities were held accountable.
He also said that his administration had inaugurated a committee on school supervision that would monitor and ensure that teachers in primary and secondary schools perform their duties.
Earlier, the Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ezi-Ukehe, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Asogwa, pledged the support of the church towards programmes aimed at assisting the poor in the society.
Fr. Asogwa also congratulated the chairman on his election and wished him a successful tenure in office. (NAN)
