EXTRA: Wike appoints 28,000 special assistants for polling units

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, has announced the appointment of 28,000 persons as special assistants for polling units in the state.

Kelvin Ebiri, special assistant to the governor on media, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement, however, did not specify what the job of a special assistant for polling units entails.

According to the statement, the governor also approved the sum of N1 billion as an emergency relief measure to support flood victims in the state.

Wike also set up a six-man taskforce to coordinate the distribution of the relief materials to affected communities in Ahoada West and Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni LGAs of the state.

In recent times, communities in the state have experienced flooding which has left several persons displaced.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had earlier said flooding across the country has affected over 600,000 people in 2022.

Speaking on the flooding in the state, Wike said the relief funds would help vulnerable families in affected areas.

George Nwaeke, the state permanent secretary for the special services bureau (SSB), was appointed as the chairman of the taskforce, while Inime Aguma was named secretary.

Other members of the taskforce include Hope Ikiriko, chairman of Ahoada West LGA; Vincent Job, chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni; and Chukwuemeka Onowo, director of administration in the ministry of special duties.

All members of the taskforce are expected to meet with Wike at the government house in Port Harcourt on Thursday.