The Sole Administrator of the Andoni Local Government Area (LGA), Surveyor Atajit Francis, has pledged to address critical challenges faced in the LGA.
Francis said this during a meeting with the Andoni Area Traditional Rulers Council in Port Harcourt, requesting the collaboration of the traditional rulers in maintaining peace and development in Andoni LGA.
The Andoni Sole Administrator stressed the pivotal role of the traditional rulers in the community.
During the meeting, Francis said, “You are the custodians of all the communities at the grassroot level, and your impact is always very important.”
Francis reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling issues of staff welfare, environmental management such as sanitation observation, and youth development.
Read Also: Ibas Can Not Broker Peace in Rivers, says NGO
Among the Traditional Rulers Council’s pleas, Francis said the requests including a bus, administrative office at Ngo, and maintenance of the public toilet will be considered to achieve their objectives and goals.
He also urged traditional rulers, opinion leaders, women, youths, as well as other stakeholders to make themselves available for the meeting scheduled for 10 May, which centres on tackling security challenges and creating innovative ideas.
While pledging to maintain open communication, he expressed optimism that the forthcoming meeting will yield positive outcomes.
Speaking earlier at the meeting, the Chairman of the Andoni Area Traditional Rulers Council, King Aaron Ikuru, unveiled that the traditional council has maintained peace within the community.
King Ikuru, who also doubles as the Paramount Ruler of Ikuru Kingdom, recounted the history of the establishment of the traditional council, which was established under the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council Law No. 4 of 2015.
Speaking on behalf of King Ikuru, the council’s secretary and the Paramount Ruler of Ataba Kingdom, King Benson Egwenre, revealed that the council rehabilitated ex-agitators through a monitoring committee after receiving N1 million monthly from the local government, with N500,000 allocated to support the ex-agitators in maintaining peace.
King Egwenre shared with Francis their relationship with oil companies operating in the LGA, urging him to partner with these companies.
As the Paramount Ruler of Oron-Ija, King Bartholomew Egopyork offered prayers to God, he also appreciated the Sole Administrator for the engagement coordinated on short notice, expressing optimism for a successful administration.
The occasion witnessed the presentation of documents outlining future projects for seven districts in the LGA, describing it as a guide.
