Victor EzejaRivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has ordered the audit of local government accounts in the state in the last three years.
This comes in the wake of the fresh political controversy in the state over the tenure of elected local government chairmen.
The governor gave the directive while swearing in caretaker committee chairmen for the 23 LGAs on Wednesday.
He explained that the measure is intended to serve as a check for the incoming officials and urged that issues about salaries and benefits of the outgoing chairmen be resolved.
Fubara called on the caretaker chairmen to see their position as an opportunity to serve the interest of their people and should not act as superheroes. He equally charged them to prove that the government made the right choice in appointing them through their conduct.
The struggle against tenure extension, according to Fubara, is not limited to a single state but rather the entire nation because accepting it could encourage its replication in other states.
He pointed out that since most states in the nation are likewise governed by caretaker committees, Rivers State was not doing anything out of the ordinary.
The governor, however, cautioned that their term in office would not be too long, as local government elections would soon be conducted.
He cautioned against violence and emphasised that this is not his style.
Following the expiration of the tenure of the LGA chairmen, Fubara on Tuesday, directed heads of administrations in the 23 LGAs in the state to take over.
He subsequently forwarded the list of nominees for caretaker committee chairmen to the state House of Assembly led by Speaker, Victor Jumbo.
The caretaker chairmen nominated by the governor include Abua/Odua LGA – Madigai Dickson, Ahoada East LGA – Happy Benneth, Ahoada West LGA – Mr. Daddy John Green, Akuku Toru LGa – Otonye Briggs, Andoni LGA – Reginald Ekaan, Asari Toru LGA – Orolosoma Amachree, Bonny LGA – Alabota Anengi Barasua, Degema LGA – Anthony Soberekon, Eleme LGA – Brain Gokpa, Emouha LGA – David Omereji, Etche LGA – John Otamiri, Gokana LGA – Kenneth Kpeden, Ikwerre LGA – Darlington Orji, Khana LGA – Marvin Yobana, Obia/Akpor LGA – Chijioke Ihunwo, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA – Princewill Ejekwe, Ogu/Bolo LGA – Evans Bipi, Okrika LGA – Princess Ogan, Omuma LGA – Promise Reginald, Opobo/Nkoro LGA – Enyiada Cookey-Gam, Oyigbo LGA – Gogo Philip, Port Harcourt LGA – Ichemati Ezebunwo, and Tai LGA – Matthew Dike.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
