Wike Warns LG Chairmen “Don’t Borrow Money Without My Authorization.”

Wike Warns LG Chairmen “Don’t Borrow Money Without My Authorization.”

Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has warned LG chairmen against borrowing money without his authorization.

iexclusive News Nigeria report that Wike delivered the warning to freshly sworn-in LG chairmen on Thursday.

Mr. Wike issued the warning soon after the newly elected chairmen of the state’s 23 local government areas were sworn in at Government House in Port Harcourt.

The governor indicated that the precaution was necessary to prevent council chairmen from gaining access to funds without a development plan.

“Before you borrow money, the state has to know what you’re going to do with it and how you’re going to pay it back,” Mr. Wike added.

“This is to ensure that those who will succeed you do not suffer as a result of your debt.”

This online news medium gathered that Wike also told the council chairmen that they have to pay attention to security issues in order to prevent security breaches in their respective councils.

Mr. Wike emphasized the importance of forging strong working ties with divisional police officers and traditional rulers in their districts, as well as holding frequent security meetings.

“Remain in your council districts. In Port Harcourt, avoid staying in hotels. How can you know about the security situation in your local government if you are not at home? The governor advised, “Security is critical.”

He asked the chairmen to convene a security council meeting once a week, or at least once every two weeks, for a thorough briefing, and warned them against going on unnecessary trips outside the state and country without informing him.

He also urged them to improve the party’s unity in their various councils by consulting widely with party leaders on appointments and other matters to ensure that everyone feels included.

Mr. Wike raised alarm over the deteriorating hygienic conditions in Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt City, Eleme, and Oyigbo, and urged council chairmen to regularly remove garbage placed on main roadways in their local government areas.

He claimed that the state administration stopped former chairmen whose terms ended on Wednesday from paying the salaries of local government employees.

“As a result, I decided to delay the payment of local government employees and political appointees in order for the newly sworn-in chairmen to pay them without any disruption,” the governor explained.