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The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has stated that he will increase the number of his special assistants to 100,000.
This comes a few days after his appointment of 28,000 special assistants for political units. He had earlier appointed 14,000 special advisers for the political units and 319 ward liaison officers. The governor’s media aide had explained that the appointees will play a pivotal role in the administration.
While defending the move during a media parley on Friday, Wike said it was part of his government’s promise to alleviate poverty and empower the youth.
“We met this morning and we are going to increase it to a hundred thousand. They are all Rivers people,” he said about the number of appointees.
“Is it not the duty of the government to reduce poverty? Is it not the duty of the government to empower its people?
“What are the people saying at the polling booths; are they happy with our government? You go and find out so we can make adjustments before we leave.”
When asked if it is a burden on his administration, the Rivers leader remarked that such would not be the first time he had towed that line.
“If we don’t have the funds to pay then it is a problem. For me, information is key These 319 liaison officers; was it the first time I appointed them? It was there last year. The 40 local government area liaison officers, is it the first time?
“People just forget easily; what I have done is to listen.”
Governor Wike further declined to state how much this intended personnel would be paid.
“That is not your business to know how much they will be paid,” he maintained.