12th October, 2022
*Approves N1bn support for flood victims in Rivers
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has appointed 28, 000 more Special Assistants for political units in the State.
Their appointments take immediate effect.
The appointment is despite the backlash and condemnations trailing his earlier appointment of 14,319 political advisers.
The latest appointment is contained in a press statement by Kelvin Ebiri, Special Assistant on Media to the Governor.
It will be recalled that the governor had on Tuesday, 11 October, 2022 appointed 319 Ward Liaison Officers and 40 Local Government Area Liaison Officers.
Meanwhile, Wike has approved N1 billion for emergency relief measures to support flood victims in Ahoada West and Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State.
The governor, who empathised with the flood victims, has also set up a Taskforce to coordinate the distribution of relief materials to affected communities in the State.
Wike said the N1 billion approved by the Rivers State Government was to enable vulnerable families, particularly in Ahoada West and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs, which are the most impacted areas in the State, to cope with the devastating flood which has inundated homes, farmlands and forced residents of affected communities to relocate to safer places.
The governor said the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Bureau (SSB) in the Office of the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. George Nwaeke, would serve as the Chairman of the Taskforce, while, Mrs. Inime I. Aguma, is the Secretary.
Other members of the Taskforce are, the Chairman of Ahoada West LGA, Hon. Hope Ikiriko; Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, Hon. Vincent Job; Hon. Chukwuemeka Onowo and the Director of Administration in the Ministry of Special Duties.
All members of the Taskforce are to meet with the Rivers State governor at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday.