Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, has expressed concern
over the level of corruption in the country, especially the way public
funds are diverted to private use.
Amaechi made the observation at the Government House, shortly after the swearing -in of the 21 local government caretaker committee chairmen in the state.
He urged the chairmen to use public funds for the good of the people and shun corruption.
His words: “I am a worried man. I am extremely worried for the country because of the level of text I got from people; even the desperation by old council members, who wanted to return. I wonder why they were so desperate. It just shows me that they were only interested in increasing their stomach infrastructure.
“I got very, very worried. People were desperate, people were threatening; all sorts of text messages were sent to me but I remained adamant and said, ‘let the people go and choose, I will not participate in this very exercise’. I believe that you have been chosen and please, serve the people.”
“My problem is that the level of corruption in Nigeria now knows no bounds, so bad that if you read Sahara Reporters, you will hear that two aircrafts were arrested in South Africa, carrying 9.5 million dollars. Now, you can see, the problem is that they left here (Nigeria) freely, unchecked; nobody asked them questions.
“So, if at that federal level, people can get away, you have to see how bad corruption has become in Nigeria, that Nigerians can travel anyhow they like with money, money they didn’t earn, money that is stolen. Now, nobody is afraid to be corrupt,” he said.
The governor continued: “State governments are not able to pay salaries because, instead of the normal money we receive every month, it has come down for Rivers State; nearly 45 to 50 per cent. That’s the way it is now, and this is because the other money is stolen.”
On local government election, the governor said the state would organize local government elections, to usher in democratically elected local government chairmen and councillors after the country’s general elections in 2015.
“We have assured the state that, we would organize (local government) election immediately after the national elections because, we believe that only democratically elected council chairmen should run the councils. So, I congratulate you for the next three months and I hope you will be able to perform”, he said.
Out of the 21 newly sworn-in caretaker chairmen, seven of them were retained. They are those of Bonny, Emohua, Tai, Oyigbo, Obio/Akpor, Opobo/Nkoro and Omuma Local Government Areas.
With the State’s 23 local government areas, Degema and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas were, however, not affected by the transition.
The 21 caretaker chairmen, sworn into office by the governor on Tuesday were, Hon. Igoma Gift Loveday (Abua/Odual), Barr. Chinenem Jerome (Ahoada East), Hon. Victor Abaje (Ahoada West), Hon Allwell George (Asari-Toru), Christian Otiasah (Akuku-Toru), Deacon Emmanuel (Andoni), Adonye Wilcox (Bonny), Prince Awalanta Ejire (Eleme), Reginald Okwuoma (Etche), Godstime Orlukwu (Emohua) and Sylvester Vidim (Gokana).
Others were, Barr Nwobueze Amadi (Ikwerre), Hon. Gordon Tornwe (Khana), Lawrence Chuku (Obio/Akpor), Mina Tende (Ogu/Bolo), Chief Amangi Sunday (Okrika), Hon. Emeka Nwogu (Omuma), Michael Igolima (Opobo/Nkoro), Hon. David Oyesorom (Oyigbo), Nnamdi Wuche (Port Harcourt) and Hon. Mbakpone Okpie (Tai Local Government).
Amaechi made the observation at the Government House, shortly after the swearing -in of the 21 local government caretaker committee chairmen in the state.
He urged the chairmen to use public funds for the good of the people and shun corruption.
His words: “I am a worried man. I am extremely worried for the country because of the level of text I got from people; even the desperation by old council members, who wanted to return. I wonder why they were so desperate. It just shows me that they were only interested in increasing their stomach infrastructure.
“I got very, very worried. People were desperate, people were threatening; all sorts of text messages were sent to me but I remained adamant and said, ‘let the people go and choose, I will not participate in this very exercise’. I believe that you have been chosen and please, serve the people.”
“My problem is that the level of corruption in Nigeria now knows no bounds, so bad that if you read Sahara Reporters, you will hear that two aircrafts were arrested in South Africa, carrying 9.5 million dollars. Now, you can see, the problem is that they left here (Nigeria) freely, unchecked; nobody asked them questions.
“So, if at that federal level, people can get away, you have to see how bad corruption has become in Nigeria, that Nigerians can travel anyhow they like with money, money they didn’t earn, money that is stolen. Now, nobody is afraid to be corrupt,” he said.
The governor continued: “State governments are not able to pay salaries because, instead of the normal money we receive every month, it has come down for Rivers State; nearly 45 to 50 per cent. That’s the way it is now, and this is because the other money is stolen.”
On local government election, the governor said the state would organize local government elections, to usher in democratically elected local government chairmen and councillors after the country’s general elections in 2015.
“We have assured the state that, we would organize (local government) election immediately after the national elections because, we believe that only democratically elected council chairmen should run the councils. So, I congratulate you for the next three months and I hope you will be able to perform”, he said.
Out of the 21 newly sworn-in caretaker chairmen, seven of them were retained. They are those of Bonny, Emohua, Tai, Oyigbo, Obio/Akpor, Opobo/Nkoro and Omuma Local Government Areas.
With the State’s 23 local government areas, Degema and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas were, however, not affected by the transition.
The 21 caretaker chairmen, sworn into office by the governor on Tuesday were, Hon. Igoma Gift Loveday (Abua/Odual), Barr. Chinenem Jerome (Ahoada East), Hon. Victor Abaje (Ahoada West), Hon Allwell George (Asari-Toru), Christian Otiasah (Akuku-Toru), Deacon Emmanuel (Andoni), Adonye Wilcox (Bonny), Prince Awalanta Ejire (Eleme), Reginald Okwuoma (Etche), Godstime Orlukwu (Emohua) and Sylvester Vidim (Gokana).
Others were, Barr Nwobueze Amadi (Ikwerre), Hon. Gordon Tornwe (Khana), Lawrence Chuku (Obio/Akpor), Mina Tende (Ogu/Bolo), Chief Amangi Sunday (Okrika), Hon. Emeka Nwogu (Omuma), Michael Igolima (Opobo/Nkoro), Hon. David Oyesorom (Oyigbo), Nnamdi Wuche (Port Harcourt) and Hon. Mbakpone Okpie (Tai Local Government).
