Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has directed the state auditor-general to carry out an audit of the accounts of the 23 Local Government Areas for the past three years.
This follows the expiration of the tenure of the council chairmen.
Fubara gave the order on Wednesday while swearing-in the caretaker committee chairmen of the local councils at the Executive Council Chamber of the Government House, Port Harcourt.
He explained that he was carrying out the audit to serve as a check for the incoming chairmen and make the local councils more accountable.
The governor charged the caretaker chairmen to protect the interests of their people and demonstrate that the government was right in appointing them.
Fubara further cautioned them against violence, stating that it is not his approach.
He explained that the fight against tenure extension is not just about the state, but the entire country, as allowing it in one state could lead to it being replicated nationwide.
According to him, Rivers state was not doing anything unusual, as most states in the country are also run by caretaker committees.
He directed the caretaker chairmen to sort out the salaries and entitlements of the outgoing chairmen.
