Andoni Council Chairman Vows To Restore Peace, Dev

The new Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Bar Erastus Awortu has reiterated his readiness to run all inclusive government that will restore peace and development in the area.
Awortu made this Known at his swearing in and reception ceremony held in Port harcourt.
According to him,”the government is not for Peoples Democratic Party PDP and politicians alone but for all citizens of Andoni irrespective of the Party one belong to.”
He called on all stakeholders including those in Opposition parties to join hands  to give Andoni a new facelift
The Chairman also called on the youths to embrace peace and shun violence, saying that development cannot take place amidst insecurity.
Awortu reassured that education and empowerment of youths would be a priority in the new government of the area.
Mr Awortu also pledged to enroll 20 youths in the Local Government Area for a maritime training programme.
The council chairman said he was determined to have development programmes geared towards preparing the youth for gainful employment in the maritime sector.
“I have started exploring employment opportunities in the various oil companies operating in our areas.
“But, these companies have always  complained that our youths lacked requisite skills.
“It is on this note that I have decided to train selected youths and arm them with necessary manpower in the maritime sector.
“I have had a preliminary discussion with a maritime institute where I intend to enroll no fewer than 20 trainees for the 2021/2022 academic session of the institute.
“We look forward to training 20 ship captains in the first two years of our administration,” Awortu said.
On criteria for selection for the training, he assured that it would be based on merit, adding that participants would be exposed to a competitive examination.
As part of efforts to set his agenda for the council rolling, the new council head has announced two key appointments in his cabinet.
Mr Dimiari Franklyn will serve as Secretary to the Council while Mr Talik Dandison will serve as the Council’s Chief of Staff.
Indigenes and political stakeholders in the area who were present at the reception have pledged support for the new administration.
It would be recalled that Governor Wike of Rivers had last Thursday inaugurated newly elected 23 local council chairmen.
Among other demands, the governor had urged the new chairmen to prioritize security and environmental sanitation in their respective areas.
Based on the governor’s charge, Awortu said that he would strengthen an existing committee set up by traditional rulers in pursuance of peace in Andoni.
He said the measure would assist in achieving quick and sustainable peace in the area and urged the various warring factions to support the peace process.
“The current security situation in our area is quite worrisome, some communities have been internally displaced following consistent cult related crises.
“A lot of our people are currently taking refuge in neighboring local government areas.
“We must strive to restore peace and ensure that displaced persons are returned to their homes.
“The people responsible for unrest and bad reputation that a once peaceful area now have are all our children and brothers.
“We cannot continue to pretend as if we don’t know them, we cannot continue to tolerate this unwarranted torture on innocent citizens.
“This is the reason we must form a united front in our commitment to peace,” Awortu said.

By: Enoch Epelle