Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has told local government caretaker committee chairmen to either empower their people or face removal.

Fubara, who spoke through Victor Oko-Jumbo, at the unveiling of the empowerment programme inIkwerre Local Government Areaof the state, emphasised that the primary responsibility of the chairmen was to serve their people.

Oko-Jumbo, who is factional Rivers Speaker,asked them to learn from the Governor’s commitment to empower the people.

He highlighted Fubara’s bold response to the August 1 hunger protest, showcasing his connection with the people.

Oko-Jumbo emphasised that officials must follow the governor’s lead, increasing empowerment initiatives in their respective local governments.

He said: “Any caretaker committee Chairman that is not empowering his people we will remove that person.

“Your duty is for your people first, it is to your people. Today, we are here to witness that empowerment which was the instruction the governor gave.”

Oko-Jumbo assured the Governor of uninterrupted support until 2027 and beyond.

He praised the unified leadership of Ikwerre LGA for standing firm with the governor, resulting in development for the people.

He said: “Let me use this medium to assure our people that the Rivers State House Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo will continue to give the governor the needed support so that the state must succeed till 2027.

“We will make sure that the Governor will have uninterrupted four years of governance in this state. And if you permit, he will have another four years.

“Let me also use this opportunity to thank the leadership of Ikwerre LGA, I believe that at this stage the entire leadership is there because it has been unified and has stood firm with the Governor and it is because of the unity that you are now seeing development to our people,” he added.

Fubara warned chairmen that failure to conduct further empowerment programmes would result in invitations to account for their actions. (The Nation)