Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has sworn in new caretaker chairmen for the 23 Local Government Areas in the state to replace the outgoing chairmen whose tenure expired on Tuesday.

The governor swore the new caretaker chairmen in on Wednesday at the Council Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt, where the first batch of 11 of them took their oath of office.

The governor on Tuesday forwarded a list of names of the nominated chairmen to the state House of Assembly led by factional Speaker, Victor Jumbo, who invited the nominees on Wednesday by 8 a.m.

They include: Abua/Odua LGA – Madigai Dickson, Ahoada East LGA – Happy Benneth, Ahoada West LGA – Mr. Daddy John Green, Akuku Toru LGa – Otonye Briggs, Andoni LGA – Reginald Ekaan, Asari Toru LGA – Orolosoma Amachree, Bonny LGA – Alabota Anengi Barasua, Degema LGA – Anthony Soberekon, Eleme LGA – Brain Gokpa, Emouha LGA – David Omereji, Etche LGA – John Otamiri, and Gokana LGA – Kenneth Kpeden.

Others include: Ikwerre LGA – Darlington Orji, Khana LGA – Marvin Yobana, Obia/Akpor LGA – Chijioke Ihunwo, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA – Princewill Ejekwe, Ogu/Bolo LGA – Evans Bipi, Okrika LGA – Princess Ogan, Omuma LGA – Promise Reginald, Opobo/Nkoro LGA – Enyiada Cookey-Gam, Oyigbo LGA – – Gogo Philip, Port Harcourt LGA – Ichemati Ezebunwo, and Tai LGA – Matthew Dike.

The governor also directed the state’s auditor general to audit the accounts of the outgone LG chairmen during their three-year tenure in office, and also ordered for the sorting out of their salaries and entitlements.

Explaining the importance of preventing tenure elongation, he noted that their appointments would only be for a while due to a plan to conduct LG poll soon. .

He therefore admonished the new caretaker chairmen to protect the interests of their people and warned against violence.