‘New LG Law’ll Stabilise Govt’ …As Wike Signs Two Bills Into Law

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has dismissed fears that the new local government law will perpetuate caretaker committees in power, but rather will stabilise administration at the grassroots level.
Speaking while signing into law two bills passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly, at the weekend in Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike asserted that the law was for the good governance of the state.
The two laws are the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment No.1) Law Number 5 of 2016, and the Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice No. 7 of 2015
The governor stated that the new Local Government Law will give the governor the leverage to extend the appointment of the caretaker committees up to nine months.
According to him, the criticism that the new law gives some caretaker committee chairmen third tenure was unfounded as the caretaker committees were not elected officials, adding that, “instead of three months or six months, this amended law allows the governor to appoint caretaker committees for nine months.
“It is not meant to keep the caretaker committees in perpetuity. Once we have elected councils, the elected officials will stay for three years, subject to re-election for a maximum of two terms”, Wike said.
He pointed out that, “those in the APC who are criticizing this amendment have forgotten so soon that they passed laws in two minutes while they were at the state Assembly. This amendment has been done for the good governance of the state”.
Commenting on the Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice No. 7 of 2015, Wike said it will help the state to fight crime, and maintain law and order.
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Dabo Adams, assured that the House will continue to legislate on laws that would enhance good governance of the state.
Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule, said the lawmakers passed the laws because of their importance to the peace and development of the state.