Health workers begin indefinite strike tomorrow

RIVERS State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has hinted that the police will not be required to vet recruited operatives of the state internal security outfit, Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency.

He has also disclosed that members of the agency are to bear light arms for self-defense subject to the approval of the police.

Governor Wike stated this during the inauguration of the board of directors of the agency in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Though the law establishing the agency had stipulated that the police should vet recruited operatives, the governor said the state Executive Council will approach the Rivers State House of Assembly for the amendment of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency law, so that the police will not be required to vet the recruited operatives as is obtainable in Lagos State. He explained why the police would be precluded from vetting the recruited operatives was because some politicians have approached the police to sabotage the scheme by rejecting operatives recruited by the agency. Wike said there was no going back on the establishment of the agency because it is central to the security of the state. He then charged the board chaired by Brigadier General Dick Ironabare, to kick-start the process of recruiting quality operatives for the agency. “Use your experiences and capabilities to ensure that the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency takes off effectively. Start the recruitment process of the operatives.’’