They described him as a 'monumental' failure with abysmal performance since he came into office.
Deltans, especially residents of Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State have condemned the bestowing of an award on the council chairman, Victor Asasa as the '2021 Best Local Government Chairman'.
They described him as a 'monumental' failure with abysmal performance since he came into office.
The New Nigeria Television Channels (TNNTV), Abuja, led by its Chairman, Seun Akinde had over the weekend in a hotel in Asaba, the state capital, awarded the Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, Victor Asasa, as the 'Best Local Government Chairman Of The Year 2021', saying he was chosen 'sequel to his positive contributions towards the growth and development of Isoko South and Delta State in general'.
Akinde had said, "The nomination of Hon. Asasa and subsequent winning of the award were in recognition of his modest performances since he assumed office as chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area.
“The Advisory Board of TNNTV after a thorough deliberation and consideration of Asasa's nomination approved that the Isoko South Council Chairman be bestowed with the National Leadership Meritorious Award of Excellent Performance as the Best Local Government Council Chairman of the year 2021."
The award, which was received on behalf of Asasa by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa's Senior Special Assistant on Media, Nelson Egware, is already generating controversy.
Many Delta residents, including councillors particularly in Isoko South, have expressed shock, describing the council chairman as the worst ever since the creation of the council area.
Since his assumption of office, Asasa has been a subject of public criticism because of his alleged high-handedness and poor performance, among others.
In June, while he was celebrating his one hundred days in office, a cross-section of Isoko South residents lambasted and criticised the council chairman for showcasing a refurbished set of furniture and renovated toilet, visits and donation of items to an orphanage and a hospital.
He also listed as part of his achievements yet-to-be-distributed insecticides and proposed free medical checkups and treatment in rural areas.
Reacting to the award, a councillor in Isoko South who spoke on condition of anonymity, described it as "an unmerited award procured with money and bestowed on an abysmal failure".
"On what did this hungry organisation, the New Nigeria Television Channels (TNNTV), Abuja base its judgement that Victor Asasa was picked among the 24 council chairmen to emerge as the 2021 best council chairman?
“These are the sets of organisations promoting corruption in our country by pursuing political office holders and undeserving and corrupt politicians with cash and carry awards. Asasa is my chairman, but he's a failure. What has been his achievements in office since he got into office that an organisation from nowhere will give him an unmerited award?" the councillor asked.
Also reacting, a former commissioner in the state who spoke on condition of anonymity, described Asasa's administration as "weak and sleepy", which doesn't deserve a single award.
The former commissioner said, "Asasa’s government is a monumental failure, sleeping government and sharing of monthly allocations to some party men all in the name of leaders and elders. Asasa knows nothing about leadership, governance; he was forced on the people by some cabal for their personal interest and to share the council's monthly allocations."
Also reacting to the council chairman's award, some Isoko South residents who took their Facebook pages expressed shock on the criteria used by the organisation to bestow such an award on the chairman whom they said was undeserving of the award considering his performance in office.
For instance, Paul Utos, an Isoko South indigene, said, "What criteria do they use in giving these awards? What has Asasa done since he was sworn in to be named chairman of the year? Are you kidding me?"
Rex Efezino Inonoje stated: "It’s like the meaning of development I used to know has changed or probably it has been a very long since I visited Isoko."
Jefferson Oruoghorie said, "So so surprised."
Joe Massino wrote, "What nonsense, with what did they rate him? There was really a country”, while Becky Fome said, "What God cannot do does not exist. Congratulations chairman sir."
Another resident of the community, Emuhore Lucky, challenged the public relations officer of the council, Efe Eto, to list the achievements of the council chairman.
“Can you mention what he has done that they gave him this award? This is the worst chairman Isoko south has ever had," Lucky said.
When SaharaReporters reached out to the council chairman, Asasa about his people’s opinion of his government and the award, he said allegations that his award was procured or that he doesn't merit such an award does not matter.
"I never solicited for the award. As a local government, we have done a lot written in black and white for everyone to see. Visit the council, what we have done are visible for everyone to see,” Asasa stated.