Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that the State Government had to dissolve the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) due to the high level of insecurity that has claimed lives and damaged the economy of the area.
Governor Wike accused the former Chairman of the council, Augustine Ahiamadu, of funding cult groups in the area which led to the loss of lives and property in the area.
Performing the swearing-in ceremony of the Caretaker Committee chairman of ONELGA , Prince Isaac Umejere and that of Etche council, Michael Amadi at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wednesday , Governor Wike said ‘the state government cannot stand aloof and watch the total breakdown of law and order in a local government area. ‘
He noted that security reports indicate that there was need to intervene and enthrone rule of law in ONELGA.
The governor said: “Caretaker Committee of ONELGA, your priority should be to restore peace and security in your community. We must do everything humanly possible to improve security in the area.
“You have to collaborate with security agencies to fight crime and cultism in ONELGA”.
He charged the new chairman to avoid any links with cult groups like his predecessor, saying that if he is found to have a relationship with cultists he will be sacked.
The governor said that the situation in ONELGA is purely cult-related violence, adding that even the APC Governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, agreed that the violence in ONELGA had nothing to do with politics.
ONELGA was dissolved by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
On Etche LGA, Governor Wike charged the new caretaker chairman to ensure that the low level of crime in the area is maintained. He urged the chairman to continue with the security project of his predecessor who reduced kidnapping in the area.
