The people of Kono-Boue in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State have urged the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Council, Ambassador Marvin Yobana, to contest the October 5 local government election in the area.

The endorsement was made by the Vice Chairman of Kono-Boue Stakeholders’ Forum, Dr John Baris Deekor, in appreciation of the rural electrification projects delivered to the community by the CTC chairman, last Thursday.

Speaking during the commissioning of rural electrification in Kono-Boue, last Thursday, Deekor expressed satisfaction with the leadership style of the CTC chairman, saying he deserves a chance to be elected as the substantive chairman of Khana LGA to enable him consolidate on his achievements.

He thanked the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, for appointing Yobana as the CTC Chairman of the Council, describing his appointment as apt, suitable and most appropriate.

He, however, appealed to the governor to give Yobana the right of first refusal to contest the October 5 local government polls in the area.

“Your Excellency Sir, may we use this opportunity to inform you that Kono-Boue community is completely satisfied with the leadership style and good works of Hon. (Amb) Marvin Yobana, and thus call on you to give him the right of first refusal to contest the chairmanship of Khana LGA on 5th October, 2024. This will enable him to consolidate on the achievements he has already made within these few days in office as the CTC Chairman,” Deekor said.

He noted that the people of Kono-Boue community had been in total darkness for over 16 years, saying the commissioning of the rural electrification in the area by Yobana’s administration would bring a great relief to the people of the area.

He said, “This occasion of rural electrification of Kono-Boue community by your administration through the caretaker chairman, Khana LGA, at this critical time in the political history of Rivers State and the most trying time of your administration is an indication that God sent you to Kono-Boue people, Bua Boue and Khana at large, to deliver us from underdevelopment. This is the first and only government project experienced in Kono-Boue community in the past 16 years of governance in Rivers State.

“Your Excellency Sir, we believe that God has at this point turned his attention to Kono-Boue people and today marks the beginning of massive development projects to be sited in Kono-Boue by your administration. This project will serve as a catalyst to the social-economic development of our dear community. We pledge our commitment to own and protect this project and other projects to be sited here by your administration.”

The Kono-Boue Stakeholders’ Forum Vice Chairman stressed on how the project will boost businesses in the area, and appealed to the governor to extend the same kind gesture to the construction of roads in the area, noting that road construction and rural electrification are the two major projects that will bring rapid development to the area.

He said that the construction of Kono-Boue, Gbam Boue, Kereke Boue and Norkwiri Boue roads are begging for immediate attention

“These roads are in deployable conditions and have caused loss of lives and properties to the people. The only bridge that serves as a link to these communities has collapsed which occasioned the devastating flood that occurred in Kono-Boue on 19th July, 2024, leading to the visit of Hon. Commissioner of Environment, Hon Sidney TamBari Gbaranor, to Kono-Boue on 21st July, 2024,” Dr. Deekor recalled.

The Kono-Boue community assured Governor Fubara of their continuous loyalty and support to his administration, while also pledging to support Amb. Yobana to deliver on his promises to Khana people.

Also speaking at the commissioning ceremony, another community leader in the area, Chief Gani Topba, said that the commissioning of the rural electrification in Kono-Boue marks the beginning of more good things to come to the area.

“I am talking as a son of Babbe, we must follow who will ensure our security and well-being and Hon. (Amb.) Marvin Yobana and the Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, will do all that past governments could not do for us,” he assured.

Chief Topba called on the people of Kono-Boue community and the entire people of Khana Local Government Area to give their full support to Governor Fubara and Yobana-led administration in the area.

In his response, the CTC chairman stated that Governor Fubara holds the Khana people very close to his heart, and would always prioritise their welfare and well-being.

Yobana disclosed that the electricity bills for Kono-Boue and UeGwere Boue had been paid, so they need not pay any bill again.

“We have paid the electricity bill, we have cleared the transformer bill and other bills, but after this period when we have finished our tenure, the Power Holding Electricity Distribution (PHED) has told us that they are going to introduce a billing system on the transformer. We assure you that every community that protects the infrastructure put in place in the area, the Council will continue to pay their electricity bills and you don’t have to pay for light,” he said.

Amb. Yobana also assured that the Kono-Boue, Gbam Boue, Kereke Boue and Norkwiri Boue roads mentioned would be attended to, promising to assign the Supervisor of Works to inspect the level of work to be done on the roads.

“We are not here to play politics, but the leadership of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and my humble self and team members, is for the welfare of the people of Khana LGA and that I will ensure they are fully empowered and emancipated out of hardship.

“This is one of our reasons why we have paid N132 million to the huge number of political appointees on our list,” Yobana added.

The Tide reports that Kono-Boue Community comprises nine (9) wards namely, Kono-Boue, Kereke, Nyokwiri, Gbam, Kee-or, Ilolo, Barikpaana, UeGwere and Bara Boue.