The Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon. Obarilormate Ollor, has expressed his determination to fight crime and criminal activities in the area.
Speaking to newsmen over the weekend, he said his administration would continue to go tough on criminal elements and ensure that Eleme and its environs become uncomfortable for them, to make the place a safe haven for investors.
According to him, the decision of the Rivers State government to demolish illegal structures and shanties should be a wake-up call to criminals that Eleme is no longer safe for them and never to use Eleme land to perpetrate their heinous crime as his government is out to smoke out all criminals from the area.
He pointed out that the destruction of the shanties and illegal structures along Eleme road down to Onne and other parts of the local government area is an effective way of combating crime and insecurity, ridding the communities of nefarious elements and fostering peace.
He further explained that before now Eleme has always reflected on the news of kidnapping and killing but it would no longer be business as usual because his administration will not sit back and watch the inglorious act of criminals to continue.
His words: “We have actually demolished all the illegal structures at Trailer Park along Eleme road but other demolitions are ongoing in the local government. We know that what we are doing is in line with the oath we took to ensure that our people are safe”.
He attributed the criminal tendencies among youths to poverty and unemployment but promised to tackle the situation by engaging the youths on skills acquisition and to meet with the multinationals in their domain to engage the youths.
The council boss noted that the entire exercise is part of the fight against criminals and urged the residents to cooperate with the government in the efforts to sanitize Eleme and bring decorum to the area and desist from actions that could lead to confrontation with constituted authority.
He reiterated that government recognizes that the mandate to rebuild the state would certainly come with sacrifices and requires the cooperation of all residents for the overall interest of all.
Some of the affected persons have expressed their discomforts, while some criticized government’s action but the government insists the operation would continue until Eleme is sanitized and freed from criminals.
