The Newswriter newspaper authoritatively gathered that most of the newly sworn-in Caretaker Committee, CTC chairmen met empty treasuries in their respective councils.
Some of the immediate past council chairmen emptied their councils’ confers. Information reaching our political desk had it that in Bonny Local Government Area, the former council chairman, Hon. Edward Pepple during the handing over ceremony did not hand over any property to the new CTC chairman, Hon. Adonye Dappa Wilcox. Our correspondent who witnessed the occasion at Grand Bonny, headquarters of the council reported that, “no property was seen during the handing over ceremony, even a vehicle”.
In Tai Local Government Area comes a report that the new CTC chairman, Hon. Mbakponee Okpe sourced for fund to organize a reception at the council secretariat shortly after his swearing in. According to report the erstwhile council chairman, Hon. Gberenkanu kuapie left behind huge debt.
In one of the Ikwerre speaking LGAs, the CTC chairman has told his political associates that he incurred over N60m debt from his predecessor.
The practice of empty councils’ treasuries is not now in Rivers State, but how could it be tamed is the question on the lips of many Rivers citizens.
Our investigations revealed that treasuries of Phalga, Oyigbo, Khana, Andoni, Omuma, Ikwerre amongst several others were emptied.
However, reports have it that the outgone chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Hon. Reginald Ukwuoma left behind N18m in the council’s confer as at the time of going to the press.
Councils such as Opobo/Nkoro and Akulga were said have been scrambled for funds to host reception for the newly appointed CTC chairmen and their members.
Some of the outgone chairmen are now nursing the ambition of returning to the council for second term in office, despite atrocities committed while in office. ###
