RIVERS ASSEMBLY SEATS TO INCREASE - INEC

RIVERS ASSEMBLY SEATS TO INCREASE – INEC

This was the recommendation of the INEC Committee on the Delimitation of Constituencies, currently on a visit to the state.

The leader of the Committee, Mr Ekpenyong Nsa who disclosed this today when the Committee paid a courtesy call on the State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi at Government House, Port Harcourt said the increase in the number of Electoral constituencies in the state is as a result of the population census conducted in the country recently.

He explained that the new development would also affect the number of wards across the country, saying that the number of wards would be increased from 8913 to about 10,000.

Mr Nsa said the delimitation of constituencies every ten years after the national head counts was a constitutional exercise, stressing that for effectiveness, the Committee was split into six, to reflect the six geo-political zones of the country.

The team leader said his Committee which is in-charge of the South-South zone has visited other states in the zone and was in the state to present the technical report of the Commission to the people.

He said they intended to go into wide consultations with the public to be able to come out with a policy framework that would have long term effect.

He explained that the technical sub-committee considered population as the only factor in arriving at the new figure, adding that other factors such as geographical contiguity, equity, traditional and administrative boundaries, as well as cultural affiliation would be considered before arriving at the final figures.

Responding, the Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi lauded INEC for accepting to carryout the national assignment which according to him calls for equity, justice and fairness in line with laid down procedures.

Governor Amaechi said the delimitation of constituencies should be done with considerations for the population figures, as it also deals with geographical contiguity, and advised INEC to be careful not to join two areas that have no cultural affinity.

Hon. Amaechi cautioned that care should be taken to equally protect the minority areas that may not have the population, as they too needs to be represented and therefore enjoined INEC to be fair, sincere, honest and just in performing its duties with the fear of God to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on society.

“The implication is that you should have the fear of God in doing your work so that you don’t put pressure on the society that we would not be able to manage”, Governor Amaechi declared.

The State Chief Executive said the nation would continue to remember the role of the electoral body as an umpire, and urged them to start now to prepare for the next election, to enable them conduct free and fair elections, emphasizing that it was the only way politicians would be responsible and accountable to the people.

BLESSING WIKINA

Deputy Director of Press Affairs to the Governor.

July 14, 2008