By: Felix Ikpotor
Following the crisis between the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Nyesom Wike, Federal Capital Territory Minister, the government has directed that no local government official should appear before the lawmakers.
According to a statement by Ebirieneuket, Nteile, Director of Information & Communications of the State Local Government Service Commission, any official of the 23 local councils in the state that appears before any panel without the permission of the chairman of the commission risks dismissal from duty.
The statement reads: “I am directed to inform you/ all officers of the 23 Local Government Councils in Rivers State, not to honour/appear before the Members of Assembly or any purported invitation by anybody or group of persons in any guise without the permission of the Acting Chairman- Local Government Service Commission .
“Any staff that disobeys or violates this instruction will be dismissed accordingly from service. Treat as very important, please”.
Port Harcourt Spectator learnt that the order may not be unconnected with moves by a committee of the assembly to invite officials of the councils following a complaint from some members of staff of Emohua council over their unpaid salaries.
Recall that the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government, Hon. Ignatius Onwuka on Monday, while presenting a Preliminary Report on the petition by two Local Government Chairmen, stated the agony of staff of Emohua Local Government Council, who he said have not been paid salary for two months on the directive of the Acting Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission to those responsible for signing requisite documents. Hon Onwuka described the Acting Chairman as an imposter, stressing that such position is not known to law in the State.
Commenting on the report, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule condemned the recalcitrance of the said official who he said parades himself as the Acting Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, adding that it is the result of administrative lawlessness being encouraged by Governor Fubara.
The Speaker emphasized that the House would not fold its arms and allow staff of Emohua Local Government Council to suffer, and therefore resolved to mandate the Committee to again invite the Commission’s Secretary, and where he fails to appear before the Committee, the House will invoke its powers by issuing warrant of arrest.
