BY ANAYO OKOLI
UMUAHIA — GOVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State on Tuesday inaugurated transition committee chairmen and their deputies for the 17 local government councils of the state, warning them against employing new staff unless they got a waiver from the state government.

The governor also warned the new chairmen not to obtain any bank loan, and advised them to notify the state government should they be in dire financial strait.

Governor Orji charged the new council leaders to make grading of rural roads their priority this dry season

Addressing the chairmen and their deputies, Orji said his warning was based on some ugly experience the government had in the past.

The governor, who warned them against reckless spending, directed the transition committee chairmen to ensure that all the health centres built in their various councils were made to function effectively.

He said:  “You are expected to be very sincere and prudent with funds of the council, you are expected to work on rural roads.

“The salary of the workers must be paid. You must not employ any staff unless there is a waiver. You must not get loans from the banks. We had ugly experience in the past.

“The 210 health centres built in the state, some under lock and key. If you reach to your Local Government, go and open them.

“Mind your association because we know your antecedents. If we see you with the forces that held back the state, we will not only sack you but make you politically irrelevant. You must be a hundred percent loyal to the government, the people, yourself and God.”