….As Police mount security at the LGAs
By Ayo Kehinde
Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has appointed Caretaker Committee Chairmen to oversee the administration of 23 local councils in the State, following the expiration of tenure of elected council officials on June 17, 2024.
The governor had in a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, directed Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take charge of the councils.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has invited members of the Caretaker Committee for screening and confirmation on Wednesday, June 19.
A statement signed by G.M Gillis-West, Clerk of the Assembly, led by Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, reads:
“The Rivers State House of Assembly invites the following nominees for screening and confirmation as Chairman and members of Caretaker Committee of the twenty-three (23) Local Government Areas of Rivers State, pursuant to section 9(5) of the Rivers State Local Government Law, No. 5 of 2018.
“Date: Wednesday 19th June, 2024.
“Time: 8am
“Venue: Hallowed Chamber, Rivers State House of Assembly, Auditorium, Admin Block, Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.
“The nominees are to come along with twelve (12) sets of their curriculum vitae (CV) and the originals and photocopies of their credentials.”
In the meantime the Police Command has announced the temporary takeover of all 23 councils’ Secretariat as well as critical government infrastructure in the state.
In a statement on Tuesday night, the Spokesperson for the Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the decision was to forestall more bloodshed and prevent further deterioration of security in the state.
The statement reads: “Following the breakdown of law and order in the various local government council secretariat in Rivers State, where supporters of the two political factions clashed over the tenure of local government council chairmen, a case of death was recorded at Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA, where a police officer and a vigilante were killed.
“To forestall more bloodshed and prevent a further breakdown of law and order, the police have taken over all the 23 council secretariat and some critical government infrastructure in the state.
“Conventional police officers and anti-riot police officers have been deployed to these facilities.”
While urging all groups and individuals to be law-abiding, the police warned those intending to cause mayhem to retrace their steps, or face the full weight of the law.
“We also wish to ask the law-abiding residents and visitors in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear. We are resolved to carry out our constitutional duty of protecting lives and property”, the statement added.
