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ALGON Condemns Aluu KIllings
The Caretaker committee Chairmen in the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, have condemned, in the strongest term possible, the recent mindless killings in Aluu and other communities in the state, and challenged security agencies to leave no stone unturned in bringing perpetrators to justice.
They said this during a one-day town hall meeting, organized recently by the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council in partnership with 92.3 Nigeria Info, at the council’s Main Hall, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Chariman of ALGON in the state and Mayor of Port Harcourt City, Sir Soni Samuel Ejekwu, said: “evil acts of cult-related murders, kidnappings and robberies in Rivers State, must be condemned in the strongest term possible. We are gathered here to collectively chat the way forward.”
Ejekwu noted that, “Following the increasing spate of heinous murders in several neighbouring local government areas (LGAs) in our beloved state, which are associated with cult activities, we have decided not to wait until it manifests in PHALGA before calling stakeholders in all the LGAs together to find a common ground.
“Our council appreciates that there exists a nexus between poverty and criminality in general terms. But we are also cognisant of the fact that the poorest societies in the world are not necessarily the ones with the highest crime rates.
According to him, “Most of those involved in these crimes are not the poorest among us. AK-47s and other dangerous weapons that they use for their illicit trade cost a lot of money. And many of the young men involved in these criminal acts are not ready to accept an 8am to 5pm jobs to earn salaries between N40,000 and N100,000 per month.
“We, therefore, have the responsibility to bring these evil acts down to their barest minimum in our LGA, considering the fact that we are the hosts to the Government of Rivers State,” Ejekwu added.
He called on all criminal gangs to sheath their swords, and give peace a chance, noting that the lure for quick riches and illusion of creating an imaginary empire would not lead them anywhere.
Ejekwu urged community leaders, chiefs, and all stakeholders in the local government areas to take responsibility for any crime committed around them, and called on all those who live, work and do business in the state to give useful information to security agencies so as to fast track effort to curb crimes and criminality in the state.
He further announced the release of hotlines: 08032003514 and 08098880134, which he advised residents of the state to call when in distress.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Musa Kimo, commended the mayor for organising the town hall meeting, and said that the police were ready now, more than ever before to partner well-meaning persons to combat violent crimes and criminality in the state.
Kimo, who was represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Patrick Ogowe, said that security was not the responsibility of police alone, but that of all citizens and residents of the state, and tasked all stakeholders to provide useful information, no matter how minute, as it could help the police in nipping any crime in the bud.
Those that attended the town hall meeting were the 23 chairmen of caretaker committees, leaders of the various security agencies in the state, traditional rulers, women and youth leaders, Christian and Muslim leaders, among others.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his resolve to remain steadfast in delivering development projects across the state, declaring that political distractions will not derail his administration’s commitment to the people.
The governor gave the assurance last Wednesday, while inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation of major roads within the old Port Harcourt Township, including the Creek Road Market project.
Apparently reacting to the prevailing political atmosphere, Fubara insisted that his priority remains governance and service delivery, not political pressures.
“I have promised our people that no matter the situation, we will not lose focus on governance,” he said.
“They entrusted us with leadership, and the least we owe them is confidence, stability and the assurance that governance will continue strongly.” he added.
Accompanied by Engineer Michel Issa of Setraco Nigeria Limited, Fubara toured several completed and ongoing roadworks, inspecting rehabilitated streets around Moore House before concluding the exercise at the Creek Road Market.
Speaking on the market redevelopment, the governor described the project as central to the revival of the old Port Harcourt township, noting that the modernisation of the facility would restore its lost glory and improve commercial activities in the area.
He explained that the new market was designed to accommodate traders currently operating on the roads, a situation he said contributes to traffic congestion and the rapid deterioration of road infrastructure along Creek Road.
“What are we trying to do? You can see the difficulty in driving through Creek Road because we don’t have proper settlement for marketers,” Fubara said, adding, “If we fix this market, those trading on the streets will move inside.”
According to him, relocating traders into the market will make it easier to properly rehabilitate the roads and preserve their structural integrity, while also enhancing the aesthetics of the township
On the road network, the governor disclosed that the rehabilitation works span from Borokiri through all major streets in the old township, stressing that the approach is holistic and aimed at delivering lasting infrastructure upgrade.
