By Harrison Akamule.
Senior Special Assistant to Delta State Governor on Political Matters, Hon. Fleming Carter has urged political leaders/representatives to live within their communities for robust interactions that translate to development impact on the areas.
Carter spoke, penultimate week, at a reception held in his honour by Obrikpo Quarters of Akugbene community in Bomadi Local Government Area for his contributions to elevation of political fortunes of Akugbene community, service to the nation and humanity in general.
Chairman of Obrikpo quarters who doubled as the organizing committee chair of the reception, Mr. Richard Sugha said: “28 years ago in 1996, it was Mr. Fleming Carter, while at his working post at the defunct National Electoral Commission, influenced 2 additional electoral wards to the existing one ward in Akugbene community. This is besides Mr. Carter’s other commitments and contributions to community development, service to the nation and humanity in general”.
“May I also use this opportunity to commend others who have been similarly committed to community development and ask our youth to follow in their footsteps by channeling their energies to worthy and productive ventures”, Obrikpo advised.
Responding, Mr. Carter said: “I am overwhelmed by the recognition accorded me here over my modest contribution 28 years ago, which is here acknowledged as haven touched and still touching many lives positively”.
“The essence of service should always be towards raising the quality and standard of living of the people”, Carter said, adding: “It is therefore imperative for us to look into the untoward trend of having representatives who do not live within the communities as councilors and delegates. These diaspora councilors and delegates hardly visit their areas of representation for robost interactions with the people for meaningful inputs for use by the representatives”.
“As the President is the head a Country, Governors are the head of their states and Chairmen are head of their Local Government Areas. So the Councillors are the head of their Wards. Councillors should be at their Wards where they are heads to raise the living standards of the area”, Carter stressed.
Hon. Carter noted that the advice was urgent for the fulfillment of the laudable MORE Agenda which needs the reliable information of the grassroots representatives who truly reside and interact with the people.
