Chairman of Emohua local government area of Rivers State, Dr Chidi Lloyd, has declared that political appointees, particularly those from Obelle community, will forfeit their March 2022 salary over their alleged failure to support the fight against illegal oil refining known as ‘Kpofire’ in the area.
Lloyd, who disclosed this on Monday in a statement in Port Harcourt, accused the appointees of refusing to volunteer information to aid its efforts to stop illegal artisanal crude oil refineries and cult-related killings in the council.
The Local government boss maintained that the essence of having appointees is to help curtail crises when it arises.
According to him, “All my appointees from Obelle community will not receive March salary if the mindless killings related to the control of proceeds of illegal bunkering and cultism in the community continues.
“The essence of appointing you all is to nip crises in the bud as much as possible.”
He noted that he had the duty to ensure that communities in the council enjoy peace, adding that he had started consultations to replace lazy appointees.
“On my part, I owe a sacred duty to good citizens from Obelle and other communities in the local government, to ensure that they live peacefully and go about their legitimate business within the local government area.
“I have also started consultations with stakeholders with a view to replacing all such indolent appointees and I want to use this medium to call on qualified indigenes of Obelle community, who wish to serve in my cabinet to immediately reach me directly in order to replace the ones there now. And such appointees must be resident in the community.
“Let me commend the Army, the police and members of the Emohua local government area vigilante services, except those from Obelle for their rapid response to emergencies,” he added.