Rivers people have been assured of a better secured state as the State government heightens its fight against criminals in the State capital, Port Harcourt and its environs.

The Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi gave the assurance at the 2nd Port Harcourt Diocesan Synod of the Catholic Church held at the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) in Port Harcourt, Wednesday.

Amaechi recalled the recent success recorded against the gang of armed robbers that specialised in robbing around banks and customers leaving or going to bank premises and some big business centres in Port Harcourt; and stated that the state government would ensure that those who escaped would be hunted down and brought to book.

“When we found out that some of those who were robbing were actually from Rivers State, they robbed again few days ago. They didn’t know that we had started preparing for them and as soon as they entered GRA, the police cornered them and they had a shootout with the police and two of the robbers died, two escaped and we are looking for the two. Inside their vehicles, we recovered ammunitions, explosives, AK47 riffles and pistols. Out of the two that escaped, one is a woman and she was one of those who pulled the trigger on a policeman at Rukpokwu, when the same gang attempted to rob a bullion van conveying cash to a bank. The security agencies are on their trail and by the grace of God, we are going to get them. Government will hunt them down,” Amaechi said.

He however lamented that people easily forget how much his administration tried to protect them, but insisted that with the cooperation of the people, his administration would not relent in its responsibilities to the State.

“I’m sure if they ask you to assess the government now, you may be very critical of the government. You would say no roads, no jobs. In the past, you were not even looking for roads. You’ve forgotten that before, for you to take your phone and make a call on the road, you see a young boy with a gun waiting for you by the side of the road to finish and you would just hand over your phone out of fear. You’ve forgotten that by the time I became governor, there was a curfew, 6pm to 6am. But we did everything to bring back peace and security to the State.”

“So, the state tries to provide security for you, in such a way that you have the confidence to go about your business.”

On education, Governor Amaechi lauded the church for being in the forefront of providing education all over the world while restating his administration’s resolve to continue with its free education programme.

He acknowledged the church for praying for leaders and urged them to continue in their strides.

“You are praying for the Bishops, President, Governors, etc, but that is not enough, because if I don’t manage your resources very well and the Lagos State Governor manages resources of Lagos State very well, by the time I leave office, I would have underdeveloped you up to 8 years behind Lagos. So, you need to pray to God not only to give you a good Governor, but that when the Governor emerges, he must apply your resources in such a way that you will be proud to say I am from Rivers State.”

The Governor also urged members of the church to ensure they fulfill their civic responsibility by paying their taxes, thereby setting a good example for others to follow.

“You pay your tax, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also to satisfy your conscience. We discover that some of you don’t pay…pay all your taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due and honour to whom honour is due,” he said.

Responding, the Catholic Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, Most Rev. Camillus Etokudoh thanked the Governor for his presence, describing him as a committed Catholic.

He urged the Governor to continue in his developmental strides, saying, “whatever you can do to help the church, do it…you are there for us and we are here for you.” He prayed for God’s divine support to the Amaechi led administration in Rivers State.