Rivers crisis: Fubara orders audit of LGA accounts

Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers governor, has ordered the audit of the accounts of the 23 LGAs in the state.

Fubara issued the directive to the state auditor-general on Wednesday during the swearing in of the new caretaker committee chairpersons in the state.

The Rivers governor said the report of the audit should be available within one month.

The new caretaker committee chairmen are Madigai Dickson (Abua/Odual LGA), Happy Benneth (Ahoada East LGA), Daddy Green (Ahoada West LGA), Otonye Briggs (Akuku Toru LGA), Reginald Ekaan (Andoni LGA), Orolosoma Amachree (Asari Toru LGA), and Alabota Anengi Barasua (Bonny LGA).

Others are Anthony Soberekan (Degema LGA), Brain Gokpa (Eleme LGA), David Omereji (Emohua LGA), John Nkugbo (Etche LGA), Kenneth Kpeden (Gokna LGA), Darlington Orji (Ikwere LGA), Marvin Yobana (Khana LGA), Chijoke Ihunwo (Obio/Akpor LGA), Princewill Ejekwe and (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA).

They also include Evans Bipi (Ogu/Bolo LGA), Princess Ogan (Okrika LGA), Promise Reginald (Omuma LGA), Enyiada Cookey-Gam (Opobo/Nkoro LGA), Ogogo Philip (Oyigbo LGA), Ichemati Ezebunwo (Port Harcourt LGA), and Matthew Dike (Tai LGA).

The three-year tenure of the elected chairpersons, vice chairpersons and councillors of the LGAs ended on Monday.

On Tuesday, Fubara asked the heads of local government administration to immediately assume control of the 23 council areas of the state.

However, despite the governor’s directive, some of the former LGA chairpersons reportedly attempted to resume duty at the council secretariat, but they were chased away by youths.

The development sparked political tension in Rivers as residents protested at some of the LGA secretariats in the state.