Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike on Friday, raised the number of Special Assistants (SAs) from 100,000 to 200,000.
This came as he officially welcomed the second batch of new SAs from the Rivers East Senatorial District at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Defending his action Wike said, “My mail box nearly crashed. People are texting each other to ask why you’re leaving them alone because the work is too much. The work cannot be done by this number.
“Therefore, a lot of Rivers people are volunteering to be part of this work. And I can announce to you today, we have increased the number from 100,000 to 200,000.”
He gave orders to all local political leaders to go home and look for reliable people who they believed might help Rivers maintain its prominent place in the community of states.
He emphasized that these SAs on Political Units Affairs were being hired to help his administration conclude properly, saying that even though so much has been accomplished, his administration is not taking its remaining time for granted.
“It is me who is appointing. It is me who wears the shoes that knows where it pinches. It is not you outside because you are not part of government.
“I know what it takes and I know these people will help me. Now that I am finishing, I want to finish very well.”
Wike claimed that the appointments fulfill his promise, made the day Rebids I Flyover was dedicated, to start implementing his stomach infrastructure policy. He claimed that the engagement will put money in the hands of Rivers residents.
He reaffirmed their obligation to interact with Rivers residents to learn what they have to say, to evaluate government initiatives and policies and provide feedback to his office via the Constituency and Ward Liaison Officers.
Chris Finebone, the state’s commissioner of information, said, “Hope we know the governor has not breached any law, anticipating inevitable public resentment over the development. I’m aware that the disgruntled Rivers State opposition will distort this.
“But let me caution them. Frustration of opposition can really drive anyone to turn into an angry piece of bird but no one should allow that frustration turn them into a piece of bitterly angry bird.”