Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has responded to the rave that has trailed the appointments of 50, 000 advisers for various political units in the state and 319 Ward Liaison Officers.
The appointments which is coming less than 8 months for him to leave office generated mixed reactions after it was disclosed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, and made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
However, in a media chat with selected Journalists on Friday in Port Harcourt, when asked if the appointments wouldn’t pose a burden to his government, considering the numbers involved, Wike said that it is not for anybody out there to determine whether it is a burden or not.
His words “Who determines if it is a burden or not? I am in the right position to determine if it is a burden to my government or not”
“The people appointed, are they not going to be paid? If you dont have the money to pay, then it becomes a burden, but as much as I am concerned, it is not”
He stated that what government is expected to do, is to empower its people and if I had my way, I would have increased it to N100, 000.
He noted that information is very important and that was what necessitated the appointments as those who appointed will engage with the people from all wards in the state to ascertain their needs so as to meet them them adequately.
Responding to questions on the Executive Order 21 that was signed last week by him, which bars political rallies in public schools without expressed approval from the government, the Rivers State governor noted that it has no political connotation as no party in the state is exempted.
He reiterated and warned that political party or individual that flouts the order without getting approval from and making the deposit of five million caution fee will face strict consequences.