—–Tasks Town Union PGs, Councillors On Contract Monitoring
A leading advocacy group in Nigeria, The Peoples’ Parliament, has commended the Executive Mayor of Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, Chief Sunny Afurobi, for his unwavering commitment to exemplary leadership, which is deeply rooted in accountability, transparency, integrity, and adherence to the rule of law.
The group particularly applauded Mayor Afurobi for making accountability the cornerstone of his administration. It cited his recent State-of-the-Council address, in which he courageously tackled crucial issues that had previously set political gladiators in the area at odds, leading to a chaotic and divisive political environment.
The address, according to the advocacy group, brought much-needed clarity to the governance and financial management of the Council, dispelling doubts and reaffirming the Mayor’s dedication to responsible leadership.
In a statement made available to our correspondent in Lagos, The Peoples’ Parliament praised the Mayor for his bravery in confronting the political crisis that had engulfed Umunneochi Local Government Area over the past months, and highlighted the professionalism and prudence with which he has managed the Council’s finances, setting a benchmark for future administrations.
“The State-of-the-Council address has effectively cleared the air on the disbursement and expenditure of the limited funds received by the Council. We are proud of this remarkable demonstration of accountability, transparency, and respect for civil service procedures, particularly in financial management, as clearly outlined in the address,” the group stated in the statement jointly signed by four of its BoT members: Chief Richard Ikpe, Chief Kingsley Madu, Mr. Chima Alago, and Mr. Obiechile Ikpe, Esq.
The advocacy group further emphasized that they had always had confidence in Mayor Afurobi’s ability to lead with integrity. “We are not surprised by his actions because we have followed his career trajectory long before he became the Executive Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area.
“He has built an impeccable reputation spanning both the public and private sectors, earning the trust and respect of those who have worked with him. He is a self-made man, fulfilled and contented, who cannot be swayed by financial inducements or the allure of personal enrichment at the expense of public trust,” the statement added.
Beyond financial integrity, The Peoples’ Parliament expressed delight in Mayor Afurobi’s assurance to the people of Umunneochi that his administration would continue to drive growth and development through transparent and people-centered governance. “His promise to ensure that Umunneochi’s resources serve its people while balancing political interests responsibly is a testament to his visionary leadership,” the group noted.
Furthermore, the advocacy group called on relevant stakeholders, including town union Presidents-General (PGs) and councilors, to take proactive steps at ensuring that contractors awarded projects in their respective areas deliver quality work as stipulated in their contracts.
“There is an urgent need for oversight mechanisms to be strengthened so that funds meant for developmental projects are judiciously used. We urge local leaders to work closely with the Mayor’s administration to uphold transparency and accountability at all levels,” the group urged.
As Umunneochi navigates its political and developmental landscape under Mayor Afurobi’s stewardship, The Peoples’ Parliament reaffirmed its support for his administration’s policies and initiatives. “We believe that with sustained commitment to good governance, Umunneochi will emerge as a model for effective local government administration in Abia State and beyond,” the statement concluded.
The group stated that with his focus on integrity, accountability, and people-centered governance, Chief Sunny Afurobi is not only leading Umunneochi with distinction but is also setting a legacy that future leaders will find challenging to surpass.
