Decentralize developmental projects to other LGAs – Rivers elders tell Wike

Lorine Emenike

The Chairman of Rivers State Elders Forum (RELEC), Chief A. K Horsfall has urged journalists and the people of Rivers State to continue to highlight the effects of the devastating flooding ravaging the state.

The RELEC chairman stated this during the forum’s meeting in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

He urged the media and the people affected by the flood not to be immodest about the situation.

The former DSS DG said the level of the flooding is devastating, but advised that the situation should be highlighted to draw the attention of other Nigerians, the international communities as well as Nigerians in the diaspora to intervene in any possible way that would help to tackle it.

Chief Horsfall, while reacting to questions on the present economic situation of the country said “I cannot say I am satisfied with the way things are in the country, I don’t think anybody can say he is satisfied.

“Things are tough, the economy is at a slow pace even though publicity by the federal government machinery is saying that everything is getting better. I don’t think that the ordinary people at the grassroots level are able to say that things are moving in the way that is going to assuage their situation.

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“I think a lot more can be done both at the state and the federal levels to improve the conditions that confront our people and Nigerians today.

“So we appeal to both the state and the federal government to double their efforts in providing succour and relief to the ordinary citizens of this country so that they can have a better life.

Speaking on Chief Harold Dappa Biriye’s efforts in the initiating the establishment of the Niger Delta Commission Horsefall said “The initiative that we take here will encourage us and compel us to task government of other states who came to be because of the influence and efforts of Chief Harold Dappa Biriye.

“The Niger Delta congress founded by Chief Harold Dappa Biriye, advocated relentlessly for the people of the Niger Delta in this country, with general Gowon as head of state.

“His influence has brought us many of the things that we are enjoying today and he deserves to be respected and honoured.

“And we should do our very best to crusade the honour for someone who more than deserves that honour.

Other members of the forum used called on the state government to decentralize developmental projects to other local governments in the state.

“A governor, once he is elected, becomes governor of all the people. He is no longer the governor of the party which elected him nor his people alone, he is a governor of the state”

“So his performance has to reflect on the entire state not just for a few areas”