Yala LGA Chairman Swears in New Supervisor Councillors, Promises Inclusive Development

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

The Chairman of Yala Local Government Area (LGA) in Cross River State, Hon. Elder Dr Fred Okem, has sworn in newly appointed Supervisor Councillors, pledging to prioritise peace, unity, and development across the LGA.

The event, held on Monday at the council headquarters in Okpoma, brought together council officials, political stakeholders, and community leaders as the chairman used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to delivering on its mandate.

Criticism and Renewed Hopes

In recent months, Dr Okem has faced significant criticism from some quarters, with detractors questioning his leadership capacity to pilot the affairs of one of Cross River State’s largest LGAs. Calls for his removal have surfaced online and in political circles, with critics accusing the administration of underperformance.

However, the latest appointments and the chairman’s pledge to open the doors of governance to all stakeholders appear to be slowing down the wave of discontent as residents adopt a “wait-and-see” approach to observe his performance.

“My Mandate Is From God,” Says Dr Okem

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Okem declared that his emergence as council chairman was “a divine mandate” to contribute positively to the growth of Yala, not to engage in political battles.

“What Yala needs at this time is peace, unity, and singularity of purpose,” the chairman stated. “Both elected and appointed officials must join hands to deliver the mandate given to us by the people. Bickerings, acrimony, and social media attacks will not help us achieve our goals. We need unity and patriotism to move Yala forward.”

The chairman highlighted his long-standing service to the LGA, having worked as a staff member, later as vice-chairman for three years, and now as the council chairman. He credited his administration with championing educational initiatives that have benefited local children and urged all residents to support government programmes.

Commendation for Governor Bassey Otu

Dr Okem expressed appreciation to the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, for approving additional appointments across LGAs in the state.

“We appealed to the governor to approve more names for appointments into the councils because the previous list could not capture all wards,” he explained. “His Excellency, being a listening leader, graciously approved more names. This has helped us reach out to more stakeholders across Yala’s fourteen large wards, ensuring equity and inclusiveness.”

Agricultural Zone Project to Boost Jobs and Economy

The chairman also showcased the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report for the proposed Agricultural Zone Area at Okuku. He assured residents that once operational, the hub would create jobs and economic opportunities for Yala youths and farmers.

“This project will transform the economic landscape of our LGA. The government of Cross River State means well for Yala, and this Agric Zone hub will be a game-changer,” he said.

New Supervisors Take Oath of Office

The Secretary to the Council, Chief Stephen Ogbaji, in his goodwill message, urged the newly sworn-in supervisors to show dedication, loyalty, and commitment to their duties, noting that their performance would shape their future political growth.

The new supervisors include:

• Lawrence Onawo – Supervisor for Transportation
• Michael Okwori – Supervisor for Housing and Infrastructure
• Okan Peter Ohiero – Supervisor for Water Resources and Sanitation
• John Oko Onah – Supervisor for Information and Communication
• Charles Eni – Supervisor for Wealth Creation and Skill Acquisition

Call for Unity

Dr Okem ended his address with a call for peace and collaboration among residents and political actors.

“An attack on the office of the chairman is an attack on the people who elected him, the governor, and even the president because our administration works like a pyramid, from the bottom to the top. Let’s work together as brothers and sisters for the progress of Yala,” he urged.

With the new appointments, expectations remain high that the administration will deliver tangible results to win over critics and fast-track Yala’s development.

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