Monarchs in Delta State have urged the State Government to stop the appointment of traditional rulers in some communities, who do not follow the processes stipulated in the State Traditional Rulers Law.
The monarchs made this known at the reconstitution of the Delta State Traditional Rulers’ Council by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at the Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat, Asaba, the state capital.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Chairman of the Council and Orodje of Okpe, Felix Mujakperuo, Orhue I, said they would continue to uphold their roles in ensuring peace in the respective communities to enable the growth and development of the state.
On his part, Governor Okowa charged the monarchs to be ambassadors of tourism promotion as custodians of the culture and traditions of their respective communities.
He urged them to also ensure the maintenance of peace in their domains to enable their communities benefit from the government’s projects and programmes.
According to him, “Today’s event is particularly profound as we renew the machinery through which government and royal fathers cross-fertilize ideas on various issues of mutual interest for the good and well-being of both the state, its people and the country in general.
“The traditional institution is the bedrock of our cultural mores, tradition and unity. I commend the council for their dedication to the preservation of our culture and traditions.
“Regardless of the advent of modernity, the traditional institution remains an important rallying point for the generality of our people. It has been serving as a veritable vehicle for the dissemination of government policies, programmes and mobilisation of the populace.
“By law, the council is to advise the governor on chieftaincy matters and any other matter of public policy concerning traditional rulers or any other class of chiefs.
“It is also to advise the governor on matters relating to customary laws or cultural affairs, inter-communal relations and maintenance of public order in the state.”
Continuing, the governor said, “This new council is coming at a time of momentous changes in the progress and development of the state, especially with the commitment of this administration to ensure that every community felt government’s presence.
“There is no doubt that the traditional institution is the fourth tier of government owing to its responsibility at the grassroots level.
“Peace and security remain the most important ingredient for development in the state and you all have been playing important roles in this regard.
“I, therefore, charge our traditional rulers to ensure that they maintain peace and order in their respective communities as they have always done and to study the policies of the administration and key into it to enable their various communities to benefit from them.”
