RSG Elevates Omagwa, Apani Chieftaincy Stools …Assures LG’s Financial Autonomy

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has announced the elevation of Omagwa and Apani traditional stools as he ended his two-day Meet-The-People-Tour of Ikwerre Local Government Area on Wednesday.
While announcing plans to separate the Apani traditional stool from that of Omerelu, he urged the people of Elele to present an acceptable chieftaincy stool to be recognized, stressing that their stool will not be given a first class status.
Speaking during a reception at Omagwa Town, the governor remarked that the Omagwa stool was due for elevation.
The governor said at Omagwa, “I want the Omagwa chief to be addressed as His Highness from today. I will finish the documentation when I get back to Government House.”
Amaechi reminded the people that one fight he has been contending with since the inception of his administration has been to protect Omagwa land from being annexed by greedy politicians.
The governor, therefore, warned the people to ensure they continue to support government as support to the opposition will lead to loss of their property.
He assured them that they were incorporated into Greater Port Harcourt City as a way of providing employment and transforming their area.
He promised to complete the Agwawirie-Omagwa Road and build a model primary school for the community and also fund education projects in the area.
Earlier in his address, Chief Kpalukwu remarked that the community was among the numerous clans in the state that have benefited from the Amaechi-led administration.
“In sequence too, you have remembered Omagwa by making her a full beneficiary of an ultra-modern healthcare centre. You have also given the town a facelift by awarding contracts for the building of roads. We are aware of the difficulties you are passing through in the state and the nation at large. We are assuring you that we have taken a positive stand to be with you come what may,” he said.
Amaechi was later given a chieftaincy title of Ome-Kwa-eli of Omagwa by the Omagwa Chief Council because of his good deeds.
At Apani Town, the governor announced that the state government will create a new chieftaincy stool in the community separate from that of Omerelu.
Amaechi said it was high time the community’s traditional stool was separated from its neighbours, while stating that government has done a lot for the community, and thanked them for their support.
Spokesman for the community and member of the state House of Assembly representing Ikwerre Constituency, Hon. Azubuike Wajoku said the community will ever remain grateful to the governor, adding, “this is a community of not more than 8,000 people but has three primary schools…and we are the first in Ikwerre after Elele to have our internal roads done.”
The governor had earlier visited Aluu Town where he promised to ensure that one of their sons is given the caretaker committee chairman since they have been marginalized over the years.
His words, “We, the Ikwerres have been unfair to Aluu people. The only promise I can make to you is that when Ikenga serves out his term, we will look for an Aluu son to make the chairman.”
On projects, he reasoned that the community needs more schools and health centres considering the population, and promised that the road from Rumuekini to the Airport will be completed to improve access routes.
Representative of Aluu community, Gershon Benson congratulated the governor for his forthrightness, vision and courage which has made him an advocate of transparent governance in the country.
Benson, however, lamented that the community has been sidelined despite its huge voters strength of over 50,000 registered persons.
He lauded the governor for completing the new Mrs. Matilda Nnodim Road and resurfacing of the road that links the town with the University of Port Harcourt.
Amaechi received a rousing reception at Adanta-Isiopko, the headquarters of the area, saying, “this is the biggest meeting I have attended so far. This is also the second meeting I have attended since yesterday that the microphone is working.”
The Rivers State governor disclosed plans for the repair and expansion of the Isiokpo-Omagwa Road billed to cost N7billion but said government needs to review the project to reduce cost.
While thanking the people for their support, he urged them to fully participate in the voters registration and collection of permanent voter’s card.
He equally visited Elele Town, where he said government has executed various projects, just as he nonetheless promised to build more schools in the area due to its population, stating that transformers will be donated to boost power supply.
In his address earlier, Eze Jonathan Amadi commended the governor for appointing their sons and daughters into positions of trust.
Amadi also lauded the construction of the Elele-Owerri Road as it has boosted trade and communication in the area, and pleaded that the traditional stool of the community be elevated to first class, considering their position as the cradle of Ikwerre race.
Meanwhile, The Rivers State Government has pledged to maintain the present 100 per cent Financial autonomy for local government councils in the state.
The Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr. Samuel Eyiba, who disclosed this yesterday in Port Harcourt while declaring open a two-day workshop for members of Caretaker Committees of the 23 Local government Councils and other top personnel of local government administration, said that the state government will not tamper with allocations to local government councils.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of local Government Affairs, Mrs Justinah Jumbo, however, charged the councils to ensure that people in their respective communities enjoyed the dividends of democracy and good governance.
He also charged the Heads of Local Government Administrations and other civil servants in the councils cooperate with their political leaders by giving them useful advice that could aid good governance.
Mr. Eyiba said that the workshop was coming at a time when the various caretaker committees in the local government areas were settling down for the task of governing their councils.
In his address, the Chairman of the local Government Service Commission, Chief Nnamdi Wokekoro, said that the workshop will enhance the performances and productivity of the various councils.
“I am optimistic that training such as this will put the key players in a vantage position to perform their duties effectively and impact positively on the rural populace to justify the existence of the third tier government and the resources accruing to them”.

Sen. Magnus Abe flanked by State APC women leader, Caroline Nagbo and former Dep. Leader, Oyigbo Legislative Assembly, Ernest Nwogu (1st right), dancing shortly after admitting over 250 defected PDP members in Oyigbo LGA to APC at the Council Secretariat, Afam.