The Chief of Staff to the Rivers State governor, chief Emeka Woke has charged council chairmen in the State to consider their position as a privilege from God to render service to their people.
Woke said no elected council chairmen in Rivers State has any justification not to deliver the dividends of democracy to his people, because all the councils get their federal allocation in full.
The Chief of Staff made the assertion in Bonny island over the weekend, when he commissioned the Abraham Hart bridge constructed by the chairman of Bonny council, Dame Anengi Barasu Claude-Wilcox.
Woke, who observed a minute silence in honour of late Hon. David Irimagha, the immediate past council chairman of Bonny, stated that one of the hallmark of good governance is the ability of government to provide basic infrastructure that improve the living condition of the citizenry.
He urged council chairmen and councilors to bear in mind at all times that their position is a privilege from God to render service to their people.
The Chief of Staff commended Dame Claude-Wilcox for executing projects that directly impact on the lives of the people of Bonny.
“The chairman would not have been able to execute all the projects she has executed, if the State government had decided to squeeze the local councils.
“I want to put it on record, since the inception of this administration in 2015 till date, His Excellency, the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has not one day tampered with the funds of local council.”
Based on this, Woke maintained that no elected council chairman has any excuse for not executing projects that will transform the lives of the people.
Woke noted that Dame Claude-Wilcox potentials as a leader may never have been realised, if not for the vision of governor Wike, that made it mandatory for women to be elected as vice chairmen of all the 23 councils in Rivers State.
“I want to encourage you that you should not rest on your oars. The people didn’t know that you will do well, and that goes to speak volume of the vision of our leader, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who made it mandatory that every Local Government council should have a woman as vice chairman.
“And I am sure if that mandate was not given, we wouldn’t have been able to identify your potential, nobody would have known that any Bonny woman would have been able to perform in office. We thank God for the wisdom and vision he has given to His Excellency , Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, and we thank you for not disappointing the PDP. You have done well.”
The Chief of Staff commended Bonny council councilors, particularly, those that have worked in synergy with the chairman to attract projects to their constituencies.
Woke further stated that the conferment of the “Distinguished Award in Infrastructure Delivery” in public service on governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, by President Muhammadu Buhari, is a proof that the resources of Rivers State are being utilised for the overall benefit of the people.
“Opposition federal government have confirmed that the government in Rivers State is doing well, and have used the resources of Rivers State very well. That is why they gave our governor award.”
Earlier, the Bonny chairman, Dame Claude-Wilcox said since assumption of office, her administration has considered the many challenges faced by the people of the council, and concerted efforts are being made to address them.
Some of the projects commissioned over the weekend include, the renovated Coal Beach Motor Park and the Upgraded Coal Beach Boat Terminal; a VIP Car Park, a small walk bridge connecting the Waiting Hall to the long jetty walkway.
Others are, reconstructed and furnished Customary Court; Council Secretariat Store Room, improved and furnished Council Hall, newly constructed Bishop Gabriel Pepple Road and Abraham-Hart bridge.
Dame Claude-Wilcox also commended the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leader in Bonny Hon. Dr. Rodaford LongJohn and members of the 9th Legislative Assembly for their support.
The Chief of Staff Media Office
October 23, 2022
