Group Wants Fund For Wards

The association of former Local Government Council Political Appointees (AFLGCP) in Rivers State has called on the State House of Assembly to review the local government law to cause the councils to make budgetary allocation to wards.

The spokesman of the Association, Hon. Stephen Mescheal Stephen made the call last Tuesday after a meeting of the 23 local government chairman with the State House of Assembly in Port Harcourt.

Hon. Stephen said, the local government administration law should be amended further to realise the purpose of local government creation and to make local governments impact positively on the rural dwellers residing at the various wards in the state.

He said, such an amendment would reduce work loads and blames on Chairmen and also fast track development at the grassroots areas.

The Association spokesman explained that, remitting fund to the wards for monthly development through councillors, or ward development chairman as the State may deem fits, would also check excesses in the management of funds by council chairmen.

Hon. Stephen also called on the chairmen of the 23 local government councils to ensure quick payment severance allowances of former officers of the council as directed by the House of Assembly in the State.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has directed all local government council chairmen, who are still owing the past political office holders to clear all the severances benefits before the end of their second year in office.

The directive was given to the Chairmen at the meeting of the 23 local government council chairmen in Port Harcourt by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otelemba Amaechree.

Enoch Epelle