Jonathan Nwokpor
The Rivers State Councillors’ Forum has expressed concern about a purported plan by chairmen of local governments to organise criminals to disrupt the state while posing as the forum.
As per the communiqué released by the forum following its meeting on Saturday, May 18, some LGA chairmen and councillors are planning to undermine Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s administration under the pretext of protest, even though the governor has been timely in paying the salaries of all civil servants and the political class.
The council members observed that Governor Fubara’s projects and programmes are “very visible and people-oriented,” and he pays salaries on time.
Rt. Hon. Reginald Promise Leader, Omuma Legislative Council; Rt. Hon. Larry ID Ibaningo, Leader, Bonny Legislative Council; Rt. Hon. Christian Ewah, Leader, Ahoada West Legislative Council; Rt. Hon. Samuel Manilla, Leader, Opobo/Nkoro Legislative Council; and Rt. Hon. Bernard Unwe ThankGod, Ahoada East Legislative Council jointly signed the communiqué, according to a statement sent to ZINGTIE on Monday, May 20.
In the meantime, the council members pleaded with the people of Rivers State and the public at large to ignore any group of people disguising themselves as someone who intends to compromise state security in any way.
They urged Governor Fubara to summon the State Director of DSS and the Commissioner of Police to bolster security both inside and outside the State.
The forum informed the governor that the people of Rivers State firmly support his administration, offering their “unalloyed and unwavering support.”
Part of the communiqué said: “Our attention has been drawn to a purported plot by the Local Government Chairmen to mobilize some miscreants in the guise of Councillors forum to cause mayhem in the state.
“The Chairmen whose tenure is winding down in few days time, have resorted to making unwarranted and unguided statements to sabotage the government of His Excellency, Ama-Opusenibo Sir. Siminialayi Fubara, GSSRS, KSC.”
According to The Guardian, the chairmen were also charged by the councillors forum of misusing the resources assigned to them.
“In fact, there’s no better time to speak, than now, on how wicked, greedv and self centered these Chairmen have been in their ill-mannered treatment meted out on the Councillors and LGAs at large.
“These Chairmen receive timely huge amounts of allocations and IGRs. yet they have done little to show for it, say for one or two LGAs that actually used the funds judiciously to the benefit of the people of their LGAs,” the communiqué further read.
“It is interesting to know that, Councillors under the dispensation of these LGA Chairmen have been nothing short of slaves. No wardrobe all wances, no trainings, car loans, no consiliency projects in our various Wards, no severance package, not even a conducive legislative l for us to do ou efforts of His Excellency
“Some LGA Chairmen, up till this moment, have refused to present their Budgets; yet, they have been appropriating funds without following due process. That is how high-handed and corrupt they have become.
“This is the reason they are illegally clamouring through the back door to elongate their tenure in office, which we (Councillors) are not part of it, and disassociate ourselves from such.”
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