Info Boss Warns Against Sharing Council Funds

The Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari has urged traditional rulers, Chiefs and political leaders across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State in the use of councils’ monthly allocations.

Mrs. Semenitari, who gave the advice Friday in Okrika during a stakeholder  Forum in Okrika Local Government Area, noted that council monthly allocations are mainly for development of the local government  areas, and not for sharing among few people in the area.

“I want to use this forum to advise some of our chiefs, traditional rulers, politicians in the various local government areas, including Okrika Local Government Area not to hold councils’ hostage or arm-twist chairmen into sharing their allocation.” She declared.

The state information boss further advised stakeholders in Okrika Local Government to be involved in politics of participation and quality development of the area that would enable the chairman utilise funds judiciously.

She commended the chairman of the Council Chairman Hon. Tamuno William as the first executive chairman of the area to convene an accountability forum with stakeholders in the area.

Mrs. Semenitari urged the people of the area to be security consciousness, and report any suspicious movement to the police and other security agencies in the area.

In his accountability statement, the council chairman,  William said that the Okrika three gateways road projects constructed by the women would be ready for commissioning soon.

Hon. William who described the council’s poor allocation from N140 million received in May 2011 to about N50 million subsequently appealed to the stakeholders to support the council in its bid to construct the Okrika International Fish Market, that would serve as a ready market for all kinds of aquatic foods stuff in the country.

He also promised to provide Micro Credits for the rural women as empowerment to enable them engage in small scale business interprises.

Hon. William reiterated the council’s commitment to embarking on total security of lives and properties in the area and appealed to people of the area to report any suspicious movement to the government or security agencies in the area.

Enoch Epelle