Lodwar, 11th October 2022 (Governor’s Press Service)
The County Executive and Assembly will develop a cordial working relation for the success of the County Government’s development agenda, Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai has said.
In his address before the House today when he officially opened the Third County Assembly, Governor Lomorukai said the two arms of the County Government shared the responsibility to develop the county, and had to work together for the success of their respective roles.
He said: “As elected representatives of the people, we have a huge responsibility to change the lives of our people. Our duty is service delivery, regardless of political affiliation.
“I assure the House of my full support as you execute your oversight role in realization of our development agenda for Turkana County. We will foster a cordial working relationship with the House, through the spirit of bipartisanship, as we serve the electorate.”
The Governor promised the Assembly of his support to implement the County Ward Development Fund, Act (2022) which was passed by the last assembly.
“The Act provides for the establishment of the fund to promote development in the Wards. It also provides for development of institutional framework to coordinate development initiatives and projects in the Wards and seeks to ensure equitable development of the 30 wards of Turkana, sets mechanism to identify priorities projects in each ward, further devolve county functions and service delivery,” he said.
On payment of pending bills, the county boss announced that he will form a taskforce to verify existing pending bill to ascertain what was genuine. He said the County Government will then introduce a supplementary budget to settle genuine pending bills.
The Governor took the opportunity to address rising insecurity along Turkana East and Turkana West sub-counties, and expressed readiness of Turkana leaders to support the government in its operation to beef up security and end banditry.
“The County Government will collaborate with the National Government in addressing insecurity and all other issues affecting residents of Turkana. There will be no unnecessary animosity between the two tiers of government. Disunity and wrangles have in the past contributed to our region being sidelined in distribution of national resources. Never again will pointless political supremacy battles take precedence over service delivery for our people,” he said.
Other highlights of the speech include; plans for a roundtable for partner organisations to evaluate programmes and align them to development agenda of the county; strengthening cultural events to boost cross-border peace programmes; commitment to develop quality infrastructure including road linkages at ward level; healthcare service development including elevation of LCRH to level six and overhaul of ambulance fleet; establishment of Kakuma/Kalobeyei municipality.
The Governor was received by Speaker Christopher Nakuleu and House Leadership. Senior County Government officials accompanying the Governor included the Deputy County Secretary Robert Loyelei and a host of County Executives. Turkana South MP Ariko Namoit and Woman Representative Cecilia Ng’itit were also present at the Assembly.
