The Caretaker Committee (CTC) Chairmen for the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Rivers State have officially assumed their duties, initiating significant changes in their respective councils. This transition follows the recent swearing-in of the chairmen by Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Government House.
Upon taking office, the CTC Chairmen have dissolved all standing committees and task forces established by their predecessors. They have also pledged to address outstanding salary arrears left by the previous administrations.
Evans Bipi, CTC Chairman of Ogu/Bolo LGA, emphasized his administration’s focus on human capital development, economic empowerment, and employment generation to improve residents’ quality of life. He highlighted plans for “stomach infrastructure” initiatives to combat hunger and poverty and announced grants for small and medium-scale enterprises to bolster the local economy. “Infrastructure without food in your stomach is zero,” Bipi remarked, urging his committee members to be firm and honest in their duties.
In a decisive move, Bipi called on the previous administration to return all government properties, stating, “All council properties in the custody of the previous administration, be it power generating sets, pens, and others, should be returned.”
In Eleme LGA, CTC Chairman Brain Gokpa, after swearing in his committee members, assured the public of his commitment to security and inclusivity. Addressing concerns about his leadership, Gokpa stated, “Many people have expressed fears that nobody can control Brain, but I am a politician who knows that collectively we can achieve our aim. We will carry our stakeholders and everybody along.” He also condemned recent property destruction at the council secretariat and announced the dissolution of some youth councils and standing committees.
Marvin Yorbana, the newly appointed CTC Chairman of Khana LGA, pledged to run an inclusive government focused on empowering young people, the elderly, and women. Yorbana urged his committee members to collaborate closely to build a stronger LGA. “Let us work together as a team, collaborate, put ideas together with the leaders of Khana, both at the community and government levels, women, and youths to make us succeed,” he said.
Yorbana also committed to executing the Governor’s directive to pay outstanding salaries and announced the suspension of all former appointees. “All committees, both standing and whatever, remain suspended from today. Anybody collecting revenue on behalf of Khana LG should stop forthwith. We will ensure that salaries are paid immediately, even those of the outgone LG chairmen and councilors,” he declared.
These newly sworn-in CTC Chairmen are poised to bring transformative changes to their LGAs, emphasizing development, security, and empowerment across Rivers State.
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