Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, has said he will increase the number of his special assistance to 100,000.
This comes after he appointed 28,000 special assistants for political units a few days ago. He had previously hired and designated 319 ward liaison officers and 14,000 special advisers for the political units.
The appointees will be crucial to the government, according to the governor’s press secretary.
In a press conference on Friday, Wike defended the action, claiming it was in keeping with his government’s pledge to fight poverty and give young people more influence.
He said, “We met this morning and we are going to increase it to a hundred thousand. They are all Rivers people.
“Is it not the duty of the government to reduce poverty? Is it not the duty of the government to empower its people?
“What are the people saying at the polling booths; are they happy with our government? You go and find out so we can make adjustments before we leave.”
On of he would be able to pay the salaries of all the workers, Wike said he had done the same thing before and was able to pay.
“If we don’t have the funds to pay then it is a problem. For me, information is key These 319 liaison officers; was it the first time I appointed them? It was there last year. The 40 local government area liaison officers, is it the first time?
“People just forget easily; what I have done is to listen,” he said.
He refused to say how much his government would pay the intended personnel aides.
‘That is not your business to know how much they will be paid,’ By the time they are been paid you ask,” he insisted.