The Cross River State governor Professor Ben Ayade has presented 18 Ford Edge vehicles to the 18 local government Chairmen in the state.
Also presented were 18 Ford Escape cars to the Vice Chairmen of Councils and 18 Ford Ecosport to the leaders of council, bringing the total number of vehicles presented to 54
Presenting the vehicles on Wednesday at the Governor’s office, Governor Ayade who was represented by his deputy, Prof Ivara Esu tasked them to make effective use of the vehicles.
He said the governor is prudent in managing resources as reflected in the provision of the vehicles and stressed the need for prudent management council resources.
“It’s not about giving cars, what is happening is important at this time we are now. With zero allocation, COVID-19 and the economic crisis, if we were to rely on federal allocation even salaries will not be paid.
“The governor is prudent in managing our resources if this was not the case the cars will not be provided” and charged elected officials to make good use of the vehicles.
On her part, the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Stella Odey said the vehicles were purchased through the JAAC Accounts in line with NFIU regulations.
She said the governor kept fund for the use of the Councils before their election and emphasized that it’s a tradition to provide mobility for council officials.
“The cars are not free gifts, they were purchased through the JAAC Accounts and going by NFIU regulations, they were procured by the Chairmen themselves and the funds came through their individual local government accounts.
“The governor kept funds for them even before they came in and that’s why we have been able to purchase the cars. It’s their entitlement because it has always been a practice that the Chairmen of council considering the exigencies of his office deserve mobility”, she said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Akpabuyo local government council, Emmanuel Offiong Bassey, who heads the council of local government chairmen, commended the state government for solving their mobility needs. He assured that the local government officials will make effective use of the vehicles.
