Group urges Soludo to introduce weekly town hall meetings

Movement for Election of Nigerian President of Igbo Extraction, on Monday, urged Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra to introduce weekly town hall meetings with residents of the state.

Convener of the movement, Mr Vincent Ezekwueme, told our correspondent in Enugu that the town hall interactions and consultations had become imperative in order to the residents to get first hand information from the governor.

Recalls that a former governor of the state, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife had, during his tenure, set aside Thursday of every week for interactions and consultations with citizens, irrespective of their class, status or positions.

Ezekwueme noted that the town hall meetings would enable the state government measure the impacts of government policies on the residents.

“It is interesting to note that one of the banes of leadership in the country is not only selfishness and unbridled quest for wealth but also, that most political appointees hardly tell their leaders the truth about the expectations of the masses.

“Prof. Soludo should also embrace patriotic and constructive criticisms and suggestions, and discard, with great disdain, services and advice of sycophants, praise singers and ‘any government in power’ people,” he said.

Ezekwueme urged the newly sworn-in commissioners to live up to expectation and see their appointments as a call to render selfless sacrifices and services to residents of the state without fear or favour.

He said that the commissioner should make themselves available for the service of the people, with humility and love.

“It is of prime importance for them not only to listen to the complaints, problems, predicaments and injustices meted out to citizens but more importantly, to promptly attend and solve them with utmost urgency, as justice delayed is justice denied.

“Remember majority of the citizenry cannot reach the governor, hence the activities of the commissioners, special advisers and other political appointees will be used to judge and assess the government,” he added.