Security: Amaechi Wants Traditional Rulers’ Support

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, says the support and cooperation of traditional rulers in the State and their subjects is critical to addressing the security challenges facing the State at the moment.

Governor Amaechi said this yesterday while declaring open the 85th quarterly general meeting of the State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt.

Represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, the State Chief Executive reiterated his administration’s resolve to rid the State of criminals, assuring that even Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, which had become a crime hot spot, would soon be brought under control.

He urged them to encourage their subjects to utilise the emergency telephone line, 112, provided by the government to provide critical information to  security agencies, explaining that the line was toll-free as it did not require any airtime from the caller.

Earlier, the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM King Theophilus Princewill, had expressed disappointment with the spate of work on the East/West Road, observing that from all indications, the contractor had abandoned site, called on the Federal Government to “urgently look into the worrisome development with a view to expediting work on the road”.

King Princewill also expressed regret over the unfortunate boat mishap incident at Mgbuosimini in Port Harcourt which claimed over 30 lives, stressing that “the Mgbuosimini disaster should serve as a wake-up calion policy planners in the State,” urging the government to “devote a sizeable portion of its budget to invest in the marine transportation sub-sector through acquisition of modern passenger boats capable of ensuring the safety of riverine travelers”.

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru (left) speaking with the Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, HRM King (Prof.) Theophilus Princewill (centre), and his predecessor, the Oba of Ogba land, HRM King Chukumela Nnam-Obi II (right), during the 85th Quarterly Meeting of the council in Port Harcourt.