The Vihiga county government has expressed its commitment in clearing pending bills as directed by the National Treasury.
Addressing the press at the County headquarters on Saturday, area Governor, Dr. Wilber Ottichilo revealed that Vihiga may be the only devolved unit in the entire Western Region to have met the budgetary requirements of the National Treasury in relation to pending bills.
He attributed this to the harmonious and close working relationship between the executive and the County Assembly.
Saying that most of the pending bills were inherited from the previous regime, Dr. Ottichilo warned that his government will only pay contractors who accomplished their projects.
“We are not just going to pay individuals because they have been cleared, we will go ahead to confirm if work was indeed done before such a step is taken, since we are aware some individuals want to take advantage of this situation to reap from where they didn’t not plant,” he warned.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ottichilo put County Executive Committee Members (CECM) who are not ready to deliver on notice warning them of imminent sacking.
“I am aware of some of my CECM whose work is just to report in offices and they leave. There is nothing tangible in terms of service which they can show for and yet they are paid. I want to put them on notice, they should deliver and if not resign,” he said.
Stressing on the need to have a motivated workforce, the governor revealed that future recruitments will based on the ability of an individual other than the level of education.
His sentiments were echoed by leader of majority in the county assembly, Victor Ejaika who urged Ottichilo to take action against lazy executive officers.
“People of Vihiga County want services but we are aware of some CECM who are not ready to deliver. The said officials should just resign to pave way for new blood, if not we are appealing to the governor to sack them,” he said.
By Isaiah Nayika
