From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
In his bid to sustain zero tolerance security situations in Kogi state, Governor Yahaya Bello has inaugurated 21 Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters for the 21 local government council areas in the state.
Governor Yahaya Bello while inaugurating members of the three reconstituted statutory commissions in the state on Thursday said efforts will be put in place to clamp down on hoodlums in the state.
Bello used the forum to commend the efforts of all the security agencies in the state in complimenting government’s task to tackle insecurity in the state.
He therefore announced the appointment of 21 Senior Special Assisnts on Security Matters, one from each of the council areas to assist in the Battle against criminality
The three reconstituted statutory commissions are, State Independent Electoral Commission, Judicial Service Commission and Haji Commission with a charge to discharge their duties without fear or favour respectively.
Performing the ceremony at the Government House, Lokoja, Bello said the reconstitution of the members of the commissions after the expiration of the tenure of the previous members was to avoid vacuum in leadership saying that the new appointees were considered based on their track records and impeachable characters.
The Governor stated that the reconstitution of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), was part of his commitment to return grassroot administration through democratic process stressing that his inability to achieve the feat during his first tenure was as a result of lack of funds to conduct local government elections.
“Iam ready to go into full elections to elect chairmen and counsellors that will run the administration of the 21 council areas in state especially with the new members of SIEC in place. In Kogi, we run multiparty system where we should give room for level play ground for all political parties in the state during the forthcoming local council elections.”
“As new members, you should strive to study laws guiding the conduct of local elections, the constitution and other aspects you are expected to know and come out with a timetable for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections ” Bello admonished
The Governor also challenged members of the Judicial Service Commission sworn in to do the needful to ensure effective dispensation of justice in the state.
“As members you should work as a team and cooperate with one another for desired service delivery” Bello advised.
The Governor further charged members of the Haji Commission to endeavor to take their duties beyond mere conduct of yearly pilgrimage to Mecca and strive to come up with innovations that will boost haji activities in the state.
