Council LGA goes tough: Sacks appointees for refusal to fight illegal artisanal refiners, cultism -Dr.Llyod

…Shops for new appointees resident in Obelle community

Daniel Efe /Port Harcourt

Sequel to the bloody clash in Obelle community in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State, over territorial control of artisanal bunkering sites by rival cult groups, political appointees from Obelle community (ward 5), to be replaced.

They are also to forfeit their March salary for refusal to support local government’s efforts to eradicate illegal artisanal petroleum refineries and cultism.
The Chairman of the local government area, Dr. Chidi Llyod declared that political appointees from Obelle community regarded as one of the epicenters for illegal artisanal refining have refused to join the fight through the provision of reliable information.

Dr. Lloyd declared this in a statement in reaction to the mindless killings related to the control of proceeds of illegal artisanal petroleum refineries and cult activities in the community on Sunday, March 20.

The statement reads; “All my appointees from Obelle community will not receive March salary if the mindless killings related to control of proceeds of illegal bunkering and cultism in the community continues”.

He stated that the essence for appointing them was to help to nip crises in the bud as much as possible. As it stands none of the present appointees is willing to volunteer information to security agents to enable them map out strategies to put a permanent end to the carnage.

He said on his part, he owes it as a sacred duty to good citizens from Obelle and other community in the local government, to ensure that they live peacefully and go about their legitimate business within the local government area.

He stated that he has started consultations with stakeholders with a view to replacing all such indolent appointees.

Dr Chidi Lloyd, Chairman of Emohua local government area at the illegal artisanal refining sites.

“I use this medium to call on qualified indigenes of Obelle community, who wish to serve in my cabinet to immediately reach me directly in other to replace the ones there now. And such appointees must be resident in the community.”

He commended the Army, the police and members of the the Emohua local government Area vigilante services, except those from Obelle for their rapid response to emergencies. He vowed that together,his administration will change the narrative.