Dwindling Local Economy Worries Lawmaker

The lawmaker representing the Khana Constituency ll in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Friday Nke-ee, has expressed worries over the down-turn in economic activities in rural communities in the state because of criminal activities currently experienced in the rural areas.
He said that some people have resorted to criminality for a living and are using such to resist the efforts of the state government on security, especially the amnesty programme in the state.
Nke-ee, who disclosed this to airport correspondents at the Port Harcourt International Airport Omagwa, Thursday, explained that nobody will want to go out to do business where security is not guaranteed.
“Security is every one’s business and it is not for government alone to guarantee safety and security.
“The chiefs and community leaders know who the criminals are.  They collaborate and cooperate with government and security agents to handle these criminals and cultists that do not want peace.
“I am particularly concerned about what is going on in Bori. Traders can now hardly go for their businesses due to insecurity.
“All hands should be on deck to checkmate these criminal elements because collectively we can deal with insecurity.
The community head and leaders are the people who know the criminals and no criminal would operate in place he does not know.
“Bori is almost becoming a ghost land, small scale businessmen are packing away from the place and this is affecting the local economy there”, he stated.
The lawmaker, however, applauded the efforts of the Rivers State government in coming up with the amnesty programme which according to him, will achieve the desired result and also appealed to youths to shun all forms of criminality.

Corlins Walter