Wike signs Rivers Neighbourhood Watch Safety Corps Bill into law
*Also gives assent to anti-kidnapping and anti-cultism laws with stiffer penalties
The Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has signed the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Bill No.8 of 2018 into law.
The Governor also gave his assent to the Rivers State Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) (Amendment) Law No.6 of 2018 and the Rivers State Kidnap (Prohibition) (Amendment) No.2 Law No.7 of 2018.
Giving his assent to the three laws passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday, Governor Wike said that the laws were necessary to enhance security across the state.
He said that Neighbourhood Watch Safety Corps would support existing security agencies with intelligence and information for them to effectively fight crime and make the state safer.
The governor said that the Neighbourhood Watch Safety Corps could not work without the approval of security agencies who would profile all the operatives.
He said anybody who loved Rivers State wiould not do anything to undermine steps that would enhance the security of lives in the state.
He said: “If your hands are clean, you have nothing to fear about the three laws that I have given assent to. By tomorrow, I will appoint the person that will head the Neighbourhood Watch Safety Corps.
“All criminals will face the full weight of the law. We will fight crime and ensure that the State is safe for investors,” the governor stated.
He debunked claims by the opposition that the State Government planned to use the Neighbourhood Watch to arm youths. The governor said that the corps was a replica of what was already in existence in Lagos State.
Commenting on the Anti-kidnapping and Anti-Cultism Laws, Governor Wike said that stiffer penalties had been approved to discourage those who might want to be involved in the offences.
“If you are a cultist and you are caught, it is life imprisonment. If you are a cultist and you kill during cult activities, you will face the death penalty.
“If you are convicted of kidnapping and the Supreme Court affirms your conviction, I will sign the death warrant without looking back,” the governor said.
The governor said that the State Government would battle cultism and kidnapping to a standstill, noting that “enough is enough.”
The Senator Representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu, said that the laws assented by the Rivers State Governor would strengthen security operations in the state. Senator Ideozu described as unfortunate an alleged failed attempt by Senator Magnus Abe to allegedly mislead the Senate on the Neighbourhood Watch.
He said it was within the purview of the Rivers State House of Assembly to pass the State Neighbourhood Watch Safety Corps Law for the security of the state.
Senator Ideozu commended Governor Wike for being proactive in the promotion of security in Rivers State by giving assent to the three laws.
Presenting the bills, Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule said that the laws provided for stiffer penalties in the interest of the state.
He said that the Neighbourhood Watch Safety Corps Bill was passed in line with extant laws and the constitution.
Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Ibani, said the Rivers State Governor had made a difference through service delivery.
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