Uzodinma, who announced the dissolution while addressing the monarchs Tuesday in Owerri, explained that the decision was taken because their tenure had expired.

He noted that a new council would be reconstituted after the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure peace, harmony and good governance in the state.

The governor charged the monarchs to abide by the directives on implementation of a new security architecture that would guarantee the security of lives and property through the revitalised community policing committee.

He explained that the committee had also been inaugurated at local councils and autonomous community levels, urging the monarchs in the 647 autonomous communities to support Federal Government’s initiative and replicate it at the grassroots level.

Governor Uzodinma urged the monarchs to use the opportunity to tackle crimes in their communities through the operators to achieve the set objectives in collaboration with the Nigeria Police.

He charged the monarchs to ensure that those appointed to the committees were people of impeccable character capable of eliminating rape, banditry, burglary, armed robbery and kidnapping, among others.

Uzodinma also told the traditional rulers to be actively involved in the selection and appointment of presidents-general and executive members of their community town unions by regularly consulting with genuine leaders and stakeholders.

He tasked them to ensure the welfare of the people and service delivery as custodians of culture, adding that the Community Government Council (CGC) Law enacted by former Governor Rochas Okorocha’s administration was repealed for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Deputy Governor, Professor Placid Njoku, Speaker, state House of Assembly, Dr. Chiji Collins, members of the State Executive Council (SEC) and all monarchs in the three senatorial zones of the state attended the meeting.