Nyesom Wike charges Caretaker Chairmen on security

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has charged newly sworn-in Caretaker Committee Chairmen on the need to stay in their domain and tackle security and employment challenges.

He gave the charge on Thursday after the oath of office was administered on the chairmen in Government House, Port Harcourt shortly after a Federal High Court had nullified the May 23rd council elections conducted by the immediate past administration.

The governor while calling on them to be prudent and law abiding noted that, “I did not dissolve the councils, but the Federal High Court nullified the elections so you have been appointed to fill that vacuum.”

Against this backdrop, he said they should not view their appointment as political patronage but a call to serve the people, expressing the hope that they have the capacity to deliver the dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

Most especially he called on CTC chairmen of Eleme, Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre to assist government in clearing their area of refuse, reminding them that they are the sign posts through which first time visitors view the state.

For those in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada, Khana, Gokana and Abua/Odual the governor enjoined them to help fight the menace of kidnapping, killings and other forms of criminality in their area.

“Try and carry everybody along and create employment for the people and we have to work,” Wike declared further counselling them not to balkanise their community on party or chieftaincy lines.

Governor Wike maintained that he would not hesitate to fire any CTC chairman who engages in financial recklessness and godfatherism reminding them that workers salaries must be equally given top priority.

In a chat with newsmen later CTC Chairman of Eleme, Phillip Okparaji promised to give sanitation and security priority.

Also Barrister Clifford Oparaodu and his counterpart from Obio/Akpor, Bright Amaewhule promised to assist government check traffic and multiple taxation, stating that illegal taskforce will be eradicated as well.