Traditional rulers in Abia State are set to undergo the process of biometric verification, according to Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzo Nwachukwu.
Nwachukwu, who stated this in Umuahia, explained that the planned verification was aimed at helping the state government have an accurate number of traditional rulers in the State.
The commissioner added that having an accurate number of traditional rulers and their communities would assist the state government in the development of rural areas.
He further disclosed that the giving of staff of office to monarchs would henceforth follow the acceptable standard.
Nwachukwu, who also announced that the monthly stipends given to traditional rulers have been increased from three to five per cent by the new administration, pointed out that the policy was part of Governor Alex Otti’s administration’s determination to encourage the traditional rulers.
In his response, the chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Joseph Nwabekee, assured that traditional rulers in the state would support the state government in its plans to transform various communities in the state.
Similarly, members of the Ohangwa Traditional Rulers’ Council have appreciated the Abia State government for carrying out an upward review of the monthly stipends paid to traditional rulers in the state.
The chairman of the council and traditional ruler of Isieketa Autonomous Community in Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Eze Nelson Mmerengwa, who made this known in a statement, said the increase in their monthly stipends was the first of its kind.