UYO LG CHAIRMAN CALLS FOR DOCUMENTATION OF WORSHIP CENTRES

By Deborah Ekanem

Uyo Local Government Chairman, Elder Imo Okon says it has become mandatory for all worship centres and other businesses operating within Uyo, to register with the local government to aid security agencies abate crimes.

The chairman made the announcement in a media chart with journalists yesterday as he marks six months in office.

Elder Okon while giving an insight to ill practices of some worship centres said many human traffickers have in the name of Church commits many havocs, described such practices as inhuman and will not be tolerated by his administration.

The council Boss warned that any person who want to set up a church must do so within the ambit of the law, explained that as an elder in the Church, he is not in any way in conflict with Church operations or businesses but to ensure sanity in all ramifications.
“am not against any Church but my position is that if you run a church, run it properly and there will be no problem, so this Local Government is going to do what is call “documentation” and will be free of charge”
“so what ever you are going to do in your Church, this council must have the document of the operator, the chairman, board of trustees and the address so that the same way we keep birth and death attendance documents we also need these places of worship documents and this is to assist the police” Hon. Okon explained.

Meanwhile, the chairman has reiterated his commitment to improving the internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through collection of rates, taxes, liccencing of all mechanical propel users, among other revenues.

He used the medium to express his profound gratitude to God, His Excellency, Deacon Emmanuel and his dear wife and the good people of Uyo for the trust repose on him to man the affairs of Uyo Local Government and promised that he will not betray the confidence for any reason.