High monarch in Cross River advocates constitutional role for traditional rulers, creation of chieftaincy and rural devt. ministry, LGA autonomy
The Chairman of the Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM (Dr.) Etinyin Etim Okon Edet, has called on President Bola Tinubu to create Ministry of Chieftaincy and Rural Development so as to enhance development at the grass-root.
The monarch who is also the Paramount Ruler of Bakassi Local Government Area while chatting with newsmen in his palace, called on the Federal Government to constitutionally provide specific roles for traditional rulers arguing that such roles would douse security challenges in the country.
He doubled down on Tuesday September 5, 2023 by commending the House of Reps Speaker Hon.Tajudeen Abbas for championing constitutional roles for traditional rulers in the country. He said traditional institution is the last hope of the people at the grass-roots as the governments at all levels would always come and go but the traditional institution remains.
Etinyin Edet aka NTANTA argued that in colonial era, “The White men themselves, when they came, met the traditional rulers who were already administering their respective domains”.
He said it is necessary that the traditional rulers in Nigeria be given constitutional roles just like what is practiced in South Africa.
“As we all know, the traditional institution is made of retired military officers, professionals and technocrats in various disciplines such as doctors, engineers, lawyers, career diplomats amongst others, let the government tap from their wealth of experiences to improve the socio-economic dynamics of our country.
“I am thereby advocating that President Bola Tinubu and indeed Governors of the 36 states and the FCT should establish the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Rural Development and appoint Minister and Commissioners of Chieftaincy and Rural Development for the Ministry which will accommodate the traditional institution and will enable traditional rulers to have a complete sense of belonging.
The Royal Father insisted that creating such a ministry, with the active involvement of leaders would engender development at the grassroots and curtail challenges of insecurity.
“if we are given the role in the constitution, as grassroots leaders too, Royal Fathers will work towards rural development of their domain where they live.
He opined “Traditional rulers have authority to mitigate insecurity if the government would empower and encourage them to live in their domains”. “We should know also that the traditional institution is like the judiciary and should not be under the control, whims and caprices of the state government so that they could have independence and boldness to speak the truth to powers”.
“Why I am asking for the establishment of the ministry of Chieftaincy and Rural Development is so that we could have that needed independence in governance, if the ministry is replicated in all the 36 states and Abuja, we will witness the effect and besides, local government should be autonomous”.
“I believe that when traditional rulers are so empowered and in collaboration with government of councils areas, our local government system would once again become vibrant”.
As a one-time Chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government Area before Bakassi Local Council was carved out of it, HRM (Dr.) Etinyin Etim Okon Edet who reflected on his tenure as council chairman, “my time was different because today, the local Government Councils are no longer operating as it supposed to be throughout the federation”, called for rejig of the system by the Tinubu administration and giving autonomy to LGA’S for them to perform their constitutional functions as the government at the grass-root.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
