The Chairman, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, engineer Samuel Nwanosike, says his administration has employed over 1,900 youths within the area to help in the fight against crime.
Nwanosike who spoke on Monday at the Council’s headquarters in Isiokpo while proposing a N4bn budget said that the employed youths would provide information to security agents that will help security agencies to arrest criminals in the local government area, adding that his administration would not take it lightly with criminals.
He also warned criminals to stay away from communities in the area, adding that nobody would be spared if caught in acts of kidnapping, armed robbery and other crime.
He pointed out that though the council had in the past assisted security agencies in the fight against crime, he said the campaign against kidnappers would be intensified this year.
“The Ikwerre Local Government Area gave employment to over 1,900 youths to give useful information to security agencies to ensure that we have crime-free communities,” Nwanosike stated.
The council chairman stated that security would take the lion’s share of the budget, while agriculture and poverty alleviation would also have their fair share from the budget.
He stated that the 2019 budget would improve on the gains of last year, adding that achievements were recorded in the areas of crime fighting, agriculture, education, and job creation.