The Rivers State House of Assembly at its 7th Legislative Sitting of the Second Session of the Tenth Assembly, Monday, deliberated on a statement by the House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, wherein he drew the attention of the House to the illegal activities of some persons in the State, masquerading as Chairmen and members of Caretaker Committees. These individuals the Leader said go about imposing and collecting fees, levies and rates from unsuspecting members of the public, in breach of the recent Supreme Court judgement, and the provisions of the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment)Law, 2023 that prohibit Caretaker Committees in whatever guise or nomenclature.
Debating on the statement by the House Leader, Members condemned and berated those they described as impostors, and warned all banks, traditional rulers, government at all levels, non- governmental organizations and those doing business in Rivers State not to transact any business with unelected individuals parading as Caretaker Chairmen, as they are threats to the fragile peace in the State.
Commenting on the House Leader’s statement, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, averred that more worrisome is the fact that these individuals not known to law go to the banks and withdraw monies meant for the Local Government Councils for wanton squandering in the name of non existing Caretaker committees.
Speaking further, Rt. Hon. Amaewhule urged the police and other security agencies to swing into action and arrest the impostors to avoid break down of law and order in the State.
Rt. Hon. Amaewhule emphasized that the Tenth Rivers State House of Assembly in accordance with the provisions of Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered, only democratically elected officials are to manage the Local Government Councils; adding that Section 64(1) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018, further empowers the House to give directive that only democratically elected officials should pilot the affair of the Councils.
Reiterating the position of the House, the Speaker stated that the House would not fold its arms and condone the crass disregard to the the laws of the State and the judgement of the Supreme Court of the land by some impostors.
Signed
Martins Wachukwu
Special Assistant On Media To The Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly
Monday, 22 July, 2024.
