Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
Rivers State Governor Siminialayi Fubara has directed the Heads of Local Government administrations across the state to continue to provide leadership following the expiration of the tenure of the 23 local government chairmen on Monday 17th June 2024.
Governor Fubara said this in a state-wide broadcast.
He urged the heads of the local government areas to pilot the affairs of the local government areas until further directives are given.
“Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAS) are at this moment directed to immediately take charge of the Councils with renewed vigor and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together.
“1 assure you, my good people of Rivers State that we shall continue to defend you, provide infrastructural development, sound healthcare delivery, quality education, and undiluted welfare service packages for all our people and workers,” he said.
Governor Siminialayi Fubara during the broadcast congratulates the outgone chairmen for serving their constitutional three-year term
“I also wish to acknowledge and commend the dedicated services of the outgoing elected Local Government Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, and Councilors who were elected and sworn in three years ago, and whose tenure expired yesterday the 17″ of June, 2024, as provided for by the Law”.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of Rivers State, I thank you all for your sacrifices and commend your commitment to public service and our dear Rivers State. I congratulate you all for the successful completion of your tenure and wish you well in your future endeavors”.
Governor Fubara, however, thanked Rivers people for their peaceful disposition since his assumption in office.
He noted that the dogged and committed support of rivers people has been the bedrock of his administration’s success.
LGA Chairman vows to remain in office
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Dr. Thomas Bariere says he will not leave office after the expiration of his tenure.
The tenure of the Local Government Chairmen in Rivers State ended on Monday 17th June 2024.
However, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Dr. Thomas Bariere while addressing a cross-section of PDP members, political appointees and youths at the council Secretariat in Bori said that the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martins Ameawhule, has extended his term in office by six months.
The Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Dr Thomas Bariere, said that his administration has put a weeklong sanitation exercise within the Council Secretariat and its environs.
Ex-agitators sue for peace
In a related development, Members of the Andoni Local Government Area Peace Monitoring Committee, comprising ex-agitators, have advised the political class, especially; the youths not to engage in any political crisis so as not to jeopardize the hard-earned peace in the area.
The advice comes following the occupation of the entrance gates of some Local Government Councils on Monday over the expiration of the tenure of the elected LGA Chairmen in the State.
Some leaders of the various groups of ex-agitators, including George Adumu and Ogolo Monwon while speaking to newsmen cautioned the youths of Andoni against carrying out any anti-government protest.
They also advised the political class to wait for the outcome of the Court of Appeal, rather than engaging people to create chaos in Andoni
On his part, Obediah Owen warned politicians and the youths against scuttling the peace the Council Chairman, Erastus Awortu worked hard to bring to Andoni in the last three years
In the meantime, the Chairman of the Conference of Community Development Committee Chairmen, CDC in Andoni LGA, Clement Clement while commending the Council Chairman, Erastus Awortu for the peace in Andoni called on politicians to jettison the idea of using the youth to cause mayhem in Andoni
Police warn mischief makers against causing unrest in Rivers State
The Rivers State Police Command has warned those making moves to cause unrest in the state to stay clear or face the full wrath of the law.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu said this at the Police headquarters in Port-Harcourt after addressing his men in preparation to forestall peace and order in the coming days.
CP Olatunji Disu said the command is aware of the crisis, but his men are at strategic places to quell any form of crisis in the state.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu also the public to be calm and go about their daily activities.
