Following poor rating of elected Local Government Chairmen in Imo State, by some Civil Society Organisations, media observers and other stakeholders, Guild of Newspaper Reporters, Nigeria Union of Journalist(NUJ) has considered it proper and timely to embark on Mid Year Media Assessment Tour of the council areas to separate those who are working from those who are watching.
In letter written to Imo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Mrs Ruby Emele, to notify her about the media assessment tour by the reputable media group reads; "this timely and unique moves was motivated by a clarion from media observers,, CSO and stakeholders to separate Local Goverment Chairmen who are working from dormant LG. Chairmen who are watching and further honour the result-oriented ones for matching activity with productivity.
According to the letter, at the end of the assessment tour, there will be media recognition for result oriented executive Chairmen to further encourage them in delivering their campaign promises to rural dwellers in their various communities.
The leadership of Guild of Newspaper Reporters under Comrade Nwokeji, expressed dismay that premises of most local government are still bushy with over grown grasses.
However; yhe state chairman of Guild of Newspaper Reporters, commented the efforts of LG Chairmen who have promoted environmental cleanliness by constantly cutting over grown grasses in the council premises, clearing refuse dumps in their communities, carrying out renovation and reconstruction works to give their various LG a facelift and provision of democratic dividends.
The letter to the commissioner states that Guild of Newspaper Reporters will need kind assistance and cooperation from her office whenever there is need for proper information that may correct wrong impressions and misinformation.
Comrade Nwokeji states that assessing the performance of Elected Local Government Chairmen in in Imo State will involve evaluating their effectiveness in delivering essential services and promoting socio-economic development.
He noted that Key areas of assessment included; efforts towards Infrastructure development, quality and maintenance of roads, markets, public facilities, provision of healthcare, education, waste management, and other essential services.
Comrade Nwokeji fromwend at zero attention from the Executive Chairman of Owerri West to evacuate refuse dump along Nekede- Ihiagwa Road before Nekede Secondary School as well as mountainous refuse dump at the back gate of the same school, describing his zero attention to various mountainous refuse in his LG as deliberate carelessness and gross insensitivity to environmental harzreds, outbreak of suckeness and loss of lives it may cause in the LGA.
He commented some LG Chairmen who have cleared mountainous refuse dumps in their area like that of Ihitte Uboma and others and urged him to emulate the good steps of his contemporaries.