“The Neighbourhood Watch arrangement will soon be fully operational throughout the state, to complement the efforts of the security agencies…”
Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said the Neighbourhood Safety Agency will soon become operational for the detection and prevention of crimes across the state.
Wike spoke yesterday, during the 108 and 109 General Session of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt.
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He urged traditional rulers to cooperate with operatives of the agency to ensure they succeed because the operatives are largely their (traditional rulers) nominees.
He said: “The Neighbourhood Watch arrangement will soon be fully operational throughout the state, to complement the efforts of the security agencies in the detection and prevention of crime and improve the security of life and property in our neighbourhoods.
“Let me remind you that the corps members were recruited based on your attestations with regard to their character and suitability. Consequently, we will hold you accountable to the performance of the corps and the success of the scheme in your local government areas, communities and neighborhoods,” he said.
The governor urged the traditional rulers to shun partisan politics, as getting involved in politics will reduce their social relevance.
He wondered why a first class traditional ruler would be involved in partisan politics with the aim of undermining the state government.
He said: “If you don’t respect your stool, you will have challenges. Withdraw yourselves from playing politics.”
If you don’t withdraw yourselves, I will withdraw you. If you take sides, I will also take sides.”The governor charged the traditional rulers never to allow any politician to breach the peace in their communities during the forthcoming campaigns.
“We expect political parties to play by the rules, and embark on peaceful and issue-based campaigns; but, you must be on the watch out to ensure no person or entity violates the peace of your communities under the guise of political campaigns.
“At the end of the campaigns, the votes of our people are very important, and we expect the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct free, fair and credible general election that would enable our people to freely determine their political direction and destiny. Here again, you also bear individual and collective responsibilities to mobilise your subjects to collect their permanent voters cards and vote for the candidates of their choice,” he advised.
Wike urged the traditional rulers to lend their voices to condemnation of the neglect of the state by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.
“It is time you lend your voices more forcefully to the neglect of the state by the federal government, the devastation of our environment by the oil companies, the grand fraud and deception in the Ogoni cleanup exercise and the call for economic justice and fiscal federation,” he said.
Chairman of the traditional rulers, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, appealed to the federal government to revive the ports in Rivers, to create employment opportunities for the youths.
He commended the governor for the successful hosting of the National Festival of Arts and Culture and said the event contradicted the negative reports against the state.
Douglas Jaja lauded Wike for his outstanding projects delivery across the state and urged him to continue his good works.