By Nkechinyere Ewa
Former Ebonyi State Governor and Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has charged the newly inaugurated Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area, Osborne Umahi, to uphold transparency, honesty and prudent management of public funds in the administration of the council.
Umahi, who spoke on his expectations from the council chairman on Friday, said Osborne must ensure that funds allocated to the local government were deployed strictly for the development of the area and not diverted for personal or sectional interests.
He specifically advised his son not to append his signature to any document or financial commitment that had not received the necessary approval from the governor or the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
According to him, “anything that is not signed by the governor or the House of Assembly, don’t put your signature there,” stressing that nobody should approach the council chairman from behind and pressure him to approve questionable transactions.
Umahi also charged Osborne to ensure equitable distribution of development projects across the 11 wards of Ohaozara, warning him against concentrating projects in Uburu, where he hails from, at the expense of other communities.
“I’ve advised him, don’t do anything for the people of Uburu because you are from Uburu. It has to be equitably distributed among the 11 council wards of the local government,” he said.
The former governor commended Osborne for what he described as a good start, noting that he had already commenced stakeholder engagements and efforts to unite the three communities of Uburu, Okposi and Ugwulangwu.
Umahi further disclosed that Osborne had promised not to collect salary and allowances as council chairman, describing the commitment as a development that would allow more resources to be channelled into the council.
He said he and Governor Francis Nwifuru would closely monitor the chairman’s performance, expressing the expectation that Osborne would conduct himself in a manner that would make the governor and his family proud.
Umahi also clarified the circumstances surrounding Osborne’s emergence as Ohaozara council chairman, saying Governor Nwifuru, rather than himself, nominated his son for the position. He said the governor’s decision touched him because it demonstrated appreciation for his past contributions and relationship with the state.