Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Barrister George Ariolu, has hailed the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for his efforts in reducing the high rate of unemployment in the state.
Ariolu said, while reacting to the inauguration of the second batch of Special Assistants to the Governor on Political Units Affairs at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area, that the Wike-led administration has continued to ensure his programmes and policies get to the grassroots.
He added that the economic empowerment programmes of the governor were unprecedented.
“This is a government that is taking it upon itself to get down to the grassroots to appoint people, and pay them on monthly basis.
“It is unprecedented in the political history of this country, and it is worth commending of the governor of Rivers State,” he added.
He described as enormous the socio-economic benefit of the recent appointment of political advisers to the governor on citizens, adding that the economic advantage would be huge.
The chairman advised the recently appointed political appointees to ensure prudent management of scarce resources allocated to them by the state government following their appointments as special assistants.
Ariolu stated, “That’s what we are talking about. It gives you the positive effect of employing somebody, as you employ the person; the person earns an income and is empowered to pay his children’s school fees, to pay rent and to do other necessary things.
“So, the multiplier effect is enormous, the economic advantage is a very huge one.”
He also encouraged them to invest the monies from the state government in lucrative businesses that would yield profits in the future.
“Of course, fundamentally, it’s your ability to manage the scarce resources that gets into your hands.
“Look for one other thing to invest it in so that it will multiply in the nearest future, and you won’t come back to square one when the tenure ends,” Ariolu explained.
Wike, during the inauguration, announced an increase in the number of special assistants from the initial 100,000 to 200,000 persons.
He explained that the increase in number of special assistants was necessitated by the inundating requests from Rivers people who appeal to be considered for the appointment.
He further directed political leaders across various local government areas to return to their respective units to search for trustworthy people who were willing to assist the state in retaining its position in the comity of states.
Wike, who congratulated the appointees, disclosed that the appointment of special assistants would help his administration to finish strong.
Those first inaugurated by the governor at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Omagwa, were Special Assistants to the Governor on Political Units Affairs from Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, Ikwerre, Emohua, Etche, Omuma, Okrika and Ogu-Bolo, respectively.