Ododo performed the swearing-in at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Lokoja.

He told the council chairmen and their deputies to be transparent and accountable as they would begin to serve the people.

Ododo also urged them to sustain his administration’s tempo of development at the grassroots by embarking on people-oriented projects and programmes to improve the lives of the people.

“As chairmen, you must ensure the security of lives and property of people and embark on people-oriented programmes in the areas of health, agriculture, social welfare and other empowerment initiatives.

“You should know that local government is the most important tier of government and the closest to the people at the grassroots; so don’t fail your people,’’ he said.

The governor urged the chairmen to ensure they carried along the people and stakeholders in all their activities in order to promote inclusivity in decision-making process.

“The local government administration should not only be seen but must be felt by the people, in line with the policy of my administration to bring governance closer to the people.

“See your elections as an opportunity to justify the autonomy of the local government administration by giving priority attention to matters that have direct positive impacts on the lives of the people at the grassroots,’’ he said.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Council, Mr Tosin Olokun, assured the governor of their commitment to complementing the efforts of the state government by embarking on projects and programmes that would transform the lives of the people at the grassroots.

Olokun also promised that they would impact on the people, irrespective of their political affinities to engender development, unity and peace across the state, in line with the government’s inclusive agenda. (NAN)