‘No Rivers Land’ll Be Ceded’

The Rivers State Government has vowed to ensure that no part of the state is ceded to any other state in the country.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi disclosed this last Friday in Port Harcourt, while declaring open the 90th quarterly general meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers.

The governor who was represented by the commissioner for Urban Development, Barrister Tammy Danagogo, said that the government would continue to ensure that every inch of Rivers State remained part and parcel of the state.

He thanked the traditional rulers for their support and encouragement during the recent boundary problem with Bayelsa State and restated the need for the royal fathers to ensure continuous peace in their various communities.

In his welcome address, the chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM King G. N. K. Gininwa, listed the demands of the council to include, the issuance of certificate of recognition and gazetting of some traditional rulers as well as filling of vacant chieftaincy stools in the state.

King Gininwa who is also the Gbenemene of Tai, further demanded for the provision of new vehicles to the royal fathers, approval of the release of Port Harcourt City Council five per cent allocation due to traditional rulers and the N1.5 million monthly imprest from Government House to the council as well as a request to consider the burial appeal in respect of late Mene (Dr) Fred Apere JP, Mene Bua Kaani, in order to reduce the burden on the family.

The council chairman also urged the provision of tents to victims of recent flood disaster in the state, while the affected areas be fumigated to avoid any possible outbreak of epidemic.

He also assured of the continuous support of the royal fathers to ensure that no part of Rivers State is balkanized, as well as actions taken by the government to retrieve the money erroneously paid to Bayelsa State in respect of the boundary issue.

L-R: Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, Senate President David Mark, Vice-president Namadi Sambo, President Goodluck Jonathan, PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, during a meeting of PDP leaders with President Jonathan in Abuja, on Friday.