Ikuru Town (Rivers)
By Lizzy Ikuru
All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial candidate in Rivers Arc. Tonye Cole said he was deeply touched by high poverty level and infrastructure deficite in Rivers communities, pledges to tackle the trend if given the political mandate.
Cole made the pledge on Friday in Ikuru town, Andoni local government area of Rivers during his ward- to-ward consultation/ voter sensitisation tour of the area.
He said that haven toured some local government areas in the state alongside the 11 wards in Andoni local government area, he was deeply touched by the sufferings of the people.
The guber candidate said that Andoni communities had yet to have basic social amenities like electricity, water, equipped hospitals, good roads and standard schools.
“I’m worried about the poverty level in Rivers communities, I know poverty is a huge challenge especially amongst third world nations but I think most of these adjudged high poverty index have been able at least achieved electricity.
“No douth, lack of electricity which happened to be a veritable tool for small and medium enterprises and mainstay of every economy had left the people of Andoni to struggle with high poverty.
“A tour of this area showed that there is no cottage hospital and the risk of maternal/infant mortality should be expectedly high around here.
“Indeed, we need to effectively harness available economic potentials in our communities to fight poverty and creat employment for our teaming youths,” he said.
The governorship candidate therefore, charged traditional leaders to take advantage of the 2019 generals elections to vote in leaders who are willing to alleviate the plight of the rural dwellers.
“lm here with members of my team to receive a fathers blessing from the throne and also to solicit support from your domain and I’m optimistic on a positive result from ur domain.
“Its time our traditional leaders begin to use their stool to attract development to our communities, ” he said.
Responding, the Paramount ruler, King Aaron Ikuru thanked the governorship candidate for recognizing the traditional stool and assure corporation from his domain.
He said that as part of efforts to support a peaceful electoral process in his domain, he has issued a decree against arms proferation adding that peace was key to achieving credible elections.
“Its true that the communities and the world is in great need of good leaders, the world has indeed beamed its searchlight on our election but the truth is that, there can’t be any smooth process without the rural communities, Infact they are the fulcrum of every decent democratic process.
“Permit me to say that my domain is delighted to identify with your aspiration especially as you have our son, Chief Davies Ikanya as the national assembly candidate on your political slate.
“God willing, the forthcoming dispensation may offer our son, Chief Davies Ikanya who is not only an indigene of Ikuru town but also one of the traditional custodians an opportunity to represent our constituency at the national assembly. ,” he said.
In the same vain, Mr Maxwell Atabirien, Chairman of the ward also assured on the support of party faithfuls in his ward saying that the ward was ready to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
“We look foward to good governance, youth employment and infrastructure in this region that’s why we will not relent on our support for the APC,” he said.
