Ex appointed LGAs chairmen cry foul, demand stipends

Former Nigerian appointed Local Government Areas (LGAs) chairmen have decried the poor treatment of them by government, while demanding they deserved to be paid as former elected chairmen are paid.

The Chairman, Forum of Former Appointed Chairmen of Local Governments, Akwa Ibom State, Obonganwan Lovina Umoh Effah, decries the alleged dichotomy between former appointed chairmen of LGAs and former elected chairmen when members of the group visited the Special Adviser, Bureau of Political/Legislative Affairs Akwa Ibom State, Barr. Ekong Sampson.

“Permit me to mention the major challenge of this Forum. It is the issue of dichotomy between the elected and appointed chairmen. It is often said, once a chairman, remains a chairman.

“It is worthy of note that both the appointed and elected chairmen went through the same joint accounts. The appointed chairmen conduct election for the elected chairmen, and still contribute to the development of their councils.

“We constitute seventy five percent of total number of Chairmen of Council in the State, yet the stipends given to the Chairmen by Governor do not extend to our members, reason is that we were appointed chairmen.

She pleaded the Special Adviser to use his office to ensure proper recognition of former appointed Chairmen of Local Government Council in the State. She advocated on the need for equal treatment of both former elected and appointed Chairmen of Local Government Areas in the State.

“We humbly plead with you as the Special Adviser Bureau of Political/Legislative Affairs to solicit the Governor to see reason for proper and equal recognition of both Appointed and elected chairmen of Local Government Areas in a way of extending the stipend given to the elected Chairmen to the appointed Chairmen and also consider us in subsequent appointments just as it is done at the national and State levels for both past Head of States and Governors. They enjoy the same benefits,” she appealed.

In his response, the Special Adviser said, “There should be no dichotomy because Chairman is Chairman. What I faced as an appointed Chairman were the same challenges I faced as elected Chairman. The challenges are similar. In fact the challenges are even more for an appointed Chairman. As an appointed chairman, you faced even weightier challenges than an elected chairman. So I can understand what you have gone through, the weight of your challenges and pressure from constituents”.

The Special Adviser identified with the forum as one time appointed chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government, and promised to use his office as Special Adviser to ensure members of the group are rewarded for their service to their fatherland.

“I am a member of this forum because in June 2003, I was sworn-in as chairman of Transition Committee, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. I serve as the Chairman of Local Government two times; firstly Chairman of Transition Committee and later as elected Chairman.

“Believe me to say that with my appointment I am going to act as a bridge between this Forum and the State Government because I understand the gamut of your problem. I have sat on that seat and what you faced I also faced.

“But I thank God that you served and you left, and you are still alive. Once there is life there is hope,” Ekong said.