The dissolution, last Wednesday, of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Council by the Rivers State House of Assembly, has received commendation from the people of the local government area.

Speaking to newsmen, yesterday, Mr Nwabueze Stanley and Henry Emelike representing the Concerned Indigenes of ONELGA, described the dissolution of the council as a timely intervention to sustain the corporate existence of the state and the local government.

The organisation frowned at the administrative style of the deposed chairman, Mr Chris Okey Ochije, contending that instead of defending allegations of corruption level against him, he resorted to seeking legal cover and engaging in political bigotry that has put the local government area in a state of insecurity.

“Although there is nothing wrong for somebody to challenge his case in court, but the ex-council boss should have first of all defended the allegation of fraudulent practices leveled against him by the councillors.”

“Ochije should be bold enough to face investigations so that the world would know whether he is innocent or not. Public office holders should know that accountability is expected of them. He should defend himself rather than running to the courts to institute a case against Chief G. U. Ake who has no hand in his travail,” they said.

Thirteen out of the 17 councillors of the council had impeached Mr Ochije on allegation of misappropriation and embezzlement of council fund to the tune of over N2 billion.

Some of the allegations include the purported de-roofing of Okwuzi low cost housing unit valued at N95 million, the construction of Ebocha-Ndoni, Akabuka Roads at the cost of N16 million and N17 million contracts on the grading of Okwuzi-Ugada road at N29 million and N5 million.

The ex-council chairman is also accused of embezzling N24 million and the re-award of contract on over existing structures to the tune of over N15 million without budgetary approval.

When contacted, the ex-chairman, Mr Ochije said the allegations were non-issues and that he was not in the mood to give details on the situation.

Meanwhile, following the dissolution of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Council (ONENLGA) for security reasons, on Wednesday, the Rivers State House of Assembly has warned other councils in the state against unbecoming acts in governance that may attract the wrath of the law.

The dissolution of Hon. Chris Ochije-led ONELGA council followed a letter sent to the state House of Assembly by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi requesting for the dissolution of the council.

Presenting the motion on the floor of the House, the leader of the House, Hon Chidi Lloyd stated that the governor’s request to the state legislature to dissolve the ONELGA council was in accordance with section 64(2) of the State Local Government Law, 1999.

According to him, “the law as amended by the House mandates the governor to take necessary steps against any defaulting council in accordance with the law and submit details of such misconduct to the state House of Assembly with a request for approval.

“The state House of Assembly, shall then consider the request, and if approved by two-thirds majority of the members, such council stands dissolved from the date of such approval,” he stated.

The House leader informed the lawmakers that the council chairman and the councillors were at war part and could no longer work together as a team noting that some newspaper reports had it that ONELGA councillors were lodged in an hotel in Port Harcourt for five months.

He therefore urged his colleagues to grant the request of the governor and dissolve the council so as to serve as a deterrent to other councils that disregard the law, adding that the ONELGA chairman and the councillors have all sinned and fallen short of glory.

In their own contributions, Hon Isaac Kamalu (Eleme), Henry Ogiri (Abua/Odual) and Ibim Ikumyi Onaji (Andoni) stated that the primary function of the legislature is to make laws that would promote peace and maintained law and order in the state.

The lawmakers had urged their colleagues to consider the request so as to avoid the extension of insecurity in ONELGA to other local government councils in the state.

However, in his own contribution, Hon Tamunosis Gogo-Jaja argued that as lawmakers, they are co-directors of the state and requested that the details of the report be given to them to enable them make proper debate on the matter.

In his ruling thereafter, the speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry divided the House with 23 lawmakers voting in favour of dissolution of the council.