Traditional Rulers Decry Withholding Of 5% Deduction

The Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, has expressed worry over the alleged withholding of the monthly 5% allocation to the traditional rulers council by the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council.

The former Chairman of the Council, HRM King T.J.T. Princewill Amachree disclosed this while giving account of his stewardship during the handing over to the new Chairman of the Council, HRM King Godwins N.K. Gininwa, Egbeneme Tai Kingdom.

According to King Princewill Amaechree, “the Port Harcourt city Council has stopped the council of Traditional Rulers in the state, the monthly 5% allocation as enshrined in the local government law in the state, without tangible reasons.

King Princewill-Amachree said the stoppage of the 5% allocation was first observed immediately after the burial of late HRM Eze Woluchem of Port Harcourt about three months ago, adding that the withholding of the fund would hamper the development of the traditional rulers council.

King Princewill-Amachree told his successor to pursue the issue of the 5 per cents with all amount of seriousness, if he meant moving the council forward.

Effort to confirmed the allegation from the Chairman of the Port Harcourt Council, Hon. Chimbiko Iche Akarolo, proved abortive as the council Press Secretary and the Chief Protocol said the chairman would not be exposed to the press interview as at when writing this reports.

Speaking to The Tide, Chairman of National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and Head of Local Government Administration of Port Harcourt Council, Comrade Franklin Ajinwo said neither NULGE nor he can comment on the issue.

Comrade Ajinwo said, “the only person who can speak on the issue is the Council Chairman, Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo.

However, an officer who spoke under anonymity confirmed the withholding of the fund but said the decision also affected the Port Harcourt Council of Chiefs among others.

He, however, said that the decision was not intended to witch-hunt any person or group.

Enoch Epelle