Th Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, had turned down a N150 million offer from the Gokana local government area chairman, for the rural water project in the area.
The money, which was a voluntary contribution from the Gokana chairman to the state government, was meant for the actualisation of the Gokana water project for the 17 communities of the local government area.
Governor Amaechi who announced the return of the N150 million to the local government area’s coffers Saturday, said the decision which was made by the State Executive Council in their last sitting, was in recognition of the Chairman’s performance as one of the four best performing local government area chairmen in the state.
“As an honour for his efforts in the development of the council area, the State Executive Council had decided to fund the Gokana water project, and so the N150 million contribution from the council, is hereby returned to them”, Governor Amaechi said.
He used the occasion to call on other council chairmen to justify their election by embarking on projects that have direct bearing on the lives of their people and emulate the Gokana Loacl Government Chairman to deliver the dividends of democracy to the grassroots.
Governor Amaechi, who was in the Local government area for commissioning of projects executed by the council hinted that leaders seeking re-election must show their performance as a testimonial, and congratulated Chief Victor Giadom for the construction of an Ultra Modern market, roads and the Skills Acquisition Centre for the use of the people.
Governor Amaechi said his administration would continue to recognise and encourage the third-tier of government to deliver quality services to the people, stressing that more modern primary schools and health centres would be built in the state next year.
The State Chief Executive also used the opportunity to warn youths of the area, particularly those living around the Bodo axis, who engage in illegal bunkering, to desist from the act as security operatives would soon clamp down on them.
He explained that the illegal activities had polluted the waters around the area, and it would ultimately affect those engaged in fishing as a means of livelihood.
Speaking as Chairman at the reception, Justice Peter Akere (Rtd.), said the people were impressed with the leadership of Chief Victor Giadom especially with his quarterly rendering of accounts to the people and embarking on projects that touch more lives.
Justice Akere also urged the state governor to remain steadfast, courageous and focused because his administration has set a new agenda for infrastructural development in the state.
In his welcome address, the chairman of Gokana Local Government Area, Chief Victor Giadom, said the newly commissioned market has 300 shops and stores, complemented with facilities like sick bay, fire office, and toilets.
Chief Giadom also noted that his council has embarked on the training of 1,140 youths in various skills acquisition programmes to empower them to be self-employed and earn legitimate income, which was officially flagged off by the wife of the Governor, Lady Judith Amaechi.
The Gokana Local Government Chairman said the people of the area are satisfied with the policies and programmes of Governor Amaechi’s government and pledged their unalloyed loyalty to the present administration.
The State governor, accompanied by his wife, Dame Judith Amaechi, had earlier paid a courtesy visit on the Gberemene Gokana Kingdom, King Barnabas Bagia.