Crisis In PHALGA As Six Councillors Pass Budget

The crisis between the Executive of the Port Harcourt City Council and the Legislative Assembly of the Local Government took another dimension last Monday as seven out of 20 councillors approved the 2012 budget presented by the Chairman, Hon Chimbiko Iche Akarolo.

The Leader of the Legislative Assembly, Bar. Linda Amadi, who revealed this on Wednesday, alleged that the Chairman allegedly presented the 2012 budget to the impeached Leader, Mr. Kingsley Owhonda Amadi and six councilors.

Bar Amadi, who was elected last Monday by 13 legislators, amounting to a majority of the Council’s legislators after one month of crisis, refused to comment further on the issue, noting that “the matter is before the State House of Assembly.”

Sources close to the council informed The Tide that the impeachment notice has been served to Mr. Akarolo, while the Clerk has been recommended for punishment.

The Tide further gathered that recommendation of punishment to the Clark was as a result of his alleged double standard and inconsistence in his duties.

It was learnt that the Clerk conducted the election and swearing-in of the new leader, Miss Linda Amadi penultimate Monday, and on Tuesday he went on to conduct a sitting presided by the impeached leader.

Crisis in the Legislative Assembly started in February, 2011 when Mr. Endurance Elenwo, Ward 15, presented a petition on misappropriation, gross misconduct and abuse of office against Mr. Kingsley Owhonda Amadi.

The motion was adopted and subsequently, Mr. Amadi was impeached, and Bar Linda Amadi was elected.

The impeachment of Kingsley Amadi did not go down well with the Chairman, Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo, who refused to recognise the new leader.

The refusal to recognise Bar Amadi forced the majority of the legislators to serve Mr. Akarolo an impeachment notice.

The Tide learnt that the continued crisis in the council may force the State Assembly to dissolve the council.

It was leant that the crisis, which has been on since February, has paralysed development activities in the local government.