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Tag: Amaechi

  • Alamieyeseigha is a coward, says Amaechi

    Alamieyeseigha is a coward, says Amaechi

    •’He said Jonathan should rein in his wife’

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has described former Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as a coward.

    Amaechi was reacting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain’s advice that he should “retrace his steps, beg President Goodluck Jonathan and return to PDP”.

    The former governor, who was convicted of money laundering and corruption but was pardoned by Jonathan, gave the advice in an interview with New Telegraph at the weekend.

    Among other things, Alamieyeseigha said: “I think there is no problem between Amaechi and Jonathan. I think Amaechi should be humble enough to go to the President and say ‘I am sorry’, because he has no place to go. A child that is not respectful will also not deserve respect from anyone. I have spoken to both of them. Jonathan has no issues. The President of Nigeria is very powerful. I even told Amaechi that the first entity you cannot fight is Almighty God and the second entity is the government (President Jonathan). No matter how you interpret it, nobody can fight the government (Jonathan) successfully… Rivers State will never be surrendered to the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

    In a statement, Amaechi’s Chief Press Secretary, David Iyofor, said it was sad that the former governor was not bold enough to tell the world what he told him (Amaechi) in private.

    Iyofor said: “It is true that Amaechi does not have any personal issue with the President. And yes, when Alamieyeseigha came to the governor to discuss this issue, he said there was not much problem between the president and the governor, but he was not bold enough to say in that interview what he told the governor the problem was. He told Amaechi that he cannot understand why Mr. President cannot rein in, control or manage his wife. For him to go to the press to say something else is, indeed, most cowardly and timid.

    “How does one comprehend Alamieyeseigha’s logic or reasons for saying Amaechi should go and beg President Jonathan and retrace his steps? Please, to where should the governor retrace his steps to? Back to the PDP? The same PDP that Amaechi led Rivers people to support and give Mr. President over two million votes at the 2011 elections with nothing to show for it after almost four years! Instead, territories and oil wells belonging to the state are being given to other states.

    “Is he saying the governor cannot hold a contrary view from Mr. President on issues based on principles and the interest of Rivers State, because Mr. President is all powerful?

    “Alamieyeseigha’s understanding of respect, disrespect and desecration of the Office of the President is warped and, indeed, befuddling. For Alamieyeseigha, what amounts to disrespect and desecration of the Office of the President is Amaechi’s decision to stay with his people, fight for what is theirs and his dogged stubbornness and refusal to cede any part of Rivers State, including its oil wells, to Mr. President’s home state of Bayelsa! For him, the governor’s fight for the interest of Rivers State and its people is tantamount to disrespecting and desecrating the Office of the President. How preposterous!

    “Alamieyeseigha says APC will never take Rivers State! We feel pity for him. It is apparent that he lives in the past and has blindly refused to face reality. APC has since taken over Rivers State. APC is in control in Rivers State and Rivers people are fully with their governor in APC. If deluding himself to think otherwise would make Alamieyeseigha sleep well at night, then he can continue to live in dreamland.

    “While we do not begrudge Alamieyeseigha’s political affiliation or his decision to truckle, grovel and genuflect before whoever he so pleases, we demand that he respects Amaechi’s right to choose his political party and associates, and to disagree with anyone on principles and issues that are not in the interest of Rivers State and Rivers people.

    “Finally, we state categorically that Alamieyeseigha’s comment against Amaechi in that interview with New Telegraph on Saturday is an undisguised and disgraceful sycophantic voyage that a man of his standing should never have ventured into.”

  • Rivers 2015: Ijaws want to succeed Amaechi

    Rivers 2015: Ijaws want to succeed Amaechi

    THE Ijaws in Rivers State, under the aegis of Eastern Delta Peoples Association (EDPA), has said it will embark on 50,000-man rally to demand the right to produce the next governor of Rivers State in 2015. Spokesman for the group, Mr. Kingsley Adonis Pepple, made this declaration yesterday during the inauguration of the local committee of EDPA youth wing in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital. Pepple said the purpose of the rally was to demonstrate the unity of Ijaws ahead of the 2015 governorship election and to mobilize support of all fair-minded people to support their cause for the emergence of an Ijaw as Governor of Rivers State in 2015. He said what the group needs at the moment is the support, understanding and cooperation of their upland brothers to realize their ambition, noting that EDPA has assured the people that the unity rally it is planning would be peaceful and devoid of violence. He added that Ijaw youths have the right to accept gifts or any other inducement from politicians, but urged them to always stand for their right. “The fifty thousand man match will hold at the historic Isaac Adaka Boro Park. This place has a deep meaning to Ijaws worldwide. We are riverrine and creek dwellers. We have concluded plans to organize this rally to press forward with our resolve to produce the next governor of Rivers State come 2015. “We spread across 10 of the 23 local government areas of Rivers State. EDPA has already collected not less than twentyfive thousand signatures endorsing the rally, and more persons are expressing support for the emergence of a Riverine Ijaw governor of Rivers State. “Twenty groups have also expressed support and solidarity with the Eastern Delta Peoples Association. Believe me, two former Governors and eight other highly-respected dignitaries of the state are billed to speak at the unity rally, scheduled for October in Port-Harcourt.”

  • Don’t panic over Ebola, says Amaechi

    Don’t panic over Ebola, says Amaechi

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi yesterday urged the people not to panic over the death of Dr. Iyke Sam Enemuo from the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    Amaechi, in a special broadcast on the dreaded disease, admonished them to remain calm, saying his administration had put measures in place to contain the disease.

    The Rivers governor said: “My dear people of Rivers State, we woke up this (yesterday) morning to the sad confirmation that the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease has claimed its first victim in Rivers State. Dr. Iyke Sam Enemua died last Friday, August 22, 2014, as a result of what was suspected to be Ebola Virus Disease.

    “The State Ministry of Health, on becoming aware of the conditions of his death, immediately commenced investigations and contact tracing. As at today (yesterday), about 100 contacts from a hotel, patients of Dr. Enemua and patients of the hospital, where the late Enemua was treated, until his demise, have been identified and restricted. The different locations are being decontaminated.

    “Our investigations reveal that an employee of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the team that received the late Dr. Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian-American, who died of ebola haemorrhagic disease in Lagos, Nigeria, made a trip to Port Harcourt, where he checked into a hotel and met with Dr. Iyke Sam Enemua.

    “About a week after his departure, Dr. Iyke Enemua took ill and was rushed to a hospital, with symptoms of fever, diarrhea and vomiting. In the course of treatment, the managing physician became suspicious and took blood samples for investigation. A few days later, Dr. Iyke Enemua died, precisely on August 22, 2014. Dr. Iyke Enemua’s widow, who is also a medical doctor and who cared for him during his illness, has taken ill. She is being quarantined. The diplomat, who was seen by the late Dr. Iyke Enemuo, is alive and well.”

    The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) chairman also urged all Rivers people to go about their normal businesses, stating that the state government was doing everything possible to contain the effects and spread of the ebola virus.

    He disclosed that his administration has the material and human resources needed to fight and defeat the deadly virus.

    Amaechi said: “Officials from the Federal Ministry of Health and other international agencies are already here (in Rivers State), working with the state’s Ministry of Health, to contain and combat the virus.

    “We must all endeavour to adhere to basic hygiene rules. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water and avoid unnecessary body contacts like shaking of hands.

    “Anyone with symptoms indicative of diarrhea, high fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, excessive weakness of the body and unexplained bleeding, should call these our ebola emergency numbers: 08167733939, 07036321076, 08033124314 or our state emergency call centre: 112.”

  • Why politicians are after me, by Amaechi

    Why politicians are after me, by Amaechi

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has  explained why some politicians are against him.

    Speaking during a tour of communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Amaechi said most of those  opposed to him were people  he assisted, through contracts, but who failed to deliver.

    At Oro-Igwe, he said: “If you check Obio/Akpor, you will see how many persons have grown through me. Almost 80 per cent of those fighting me today are people I gave contracts worth billions of naira. They put the money in their pockets and did not deliver, and they claim they are Ikwerre people.

    “The contract for the road at Eneka was given to an Obio/Akpor son. The one for the internal road at Rumuolumeni was given to a Rumuolumeni son. They gave it to one of Obio/Akpor’s sons to do. They have not done it. They have no fear, no shame. The worst money to steal is the one belonging to your people. Go and check Ubima road, as an ordinary Special Assistant to Chief Rufus Ada-George, I did the road. When I became the Speaker, I got Dr. Odili to do the road and the road lasted until I became governor.

    “I did not touch Ubima money. I did not say ‘I want to be a big man, contractor, give me N40 million first’. I did not get one kobo from it. All the roads in Rumuepirikom (Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike’s community) were done by this administration. I gave the contracts to your son and paid hundred per cent. But almost all the roads there have gone bad and they are not major traffic routes. This happened because of greed.

    “As an Ikwerre man, what else can I do? Please tell me what else you want me to do that I have not done? I just did not do the road, I gave it to Ikwerre people to do. If you are not a good contractor, you look for a good contractor to do it for you, isn’t it? But if you are not a good contractor and do not hire one, you will just buy one pay loader and begin to scratch the ground.”

    Urging the people to beware of dishonest persons, he said: “Nobody should come here and lie to you. They are careless at talking. They lie a lot. As speaker for eight years and governor for seven years, tell them to show you my property.

    “They are buying people’s land and building houses without fear. Ask them where they got the money from?’ If I gave them power and money and they couldn’t build roads for you, is it when they become governor that they will build them?

    “It is funny that all the roads we did around here are broken down. They were executed by your sons. We will fix them again before I leave office. By latest October, a contractor will come to do them.

    “I am an Ikwerre son. I don’t compromise and I don’t betray people. Anybody who says I betrayed him should come forward. I hate dishonest people because I try not to be dishonest. What I can’t do for you, I will tell you I can’t do for you. It iss good to sleep well, not wake up and have someone complain that u did not fulfill your promise. I am not among that lot.”

    At Rukpokwu, Amaechi lamented that several indigenous contractors collected mobilisation funds and either abandoned the job or performed poorly.

    Acceding to the people’s request for more primary schools, he said: “You need more schools to accommodate more children. It is our responsibility and there is no politics in it. Whether you vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) or Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), meeting your needs is my responsibility. There is no village without a primary health care centre or a model primary school.

    “We are not here to campaign. I am here to see what I need to do before I leave office and to inspect projects I have done. My children asked me what would be my greatest achievement when I leave office, and I said it is in the education sector. I am proud that when I get to the airport in Germany, children would come to me and say ‘Good morning sir, I’m a scholar of the Rivers State government; you pay my fees.’ I’m very proud of that.”

    The people praised the governor’s “numerous achievements”.

    The governor also visited Rumuokoro, Rumuigbo, Rumuepirikom and Rumuola.

  • Why we visited Amaechi-Rector

    The Rector of the newly-established Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas in Bonny Island, the headquarters of Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, Prof. Elijah Tamuno Iyagba, has stated that the principal officers of the institution decided to visit the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, to inform him that all hands are on deck, and that they are ready to get to work.

    He stated that the polytechnic, in spite of being a federal institution, is located in Rivers State, stressing that Amaechi must be formally informed of their arrival and to familiarise themselves with him.

    Iyagba gave the assurance when he led other principal officers of the polytechnic on a courtesy call on Amaechi at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    He assured Amaechi of the commitment of the principal officers of the institution to achieve its goals.

    He noted that citing of the polytechnic in the oil-rich coastal Bonny would afford Niger Deltans more opportunity of gathering maximum knowledge in oil and gas activities.

    The rector also recalled that the idea for the polytechnic was first mooted by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and recently approved by President Goodluck Jonathan, with a take-off grant of about N1billion.

    Iyagba said: “Your Excellency, as you may be aware, it has been a long road. This started 14 years ago. It was to be a National Technical Institute by the Rivers State government and six years later, the Federal Government, under President Obasanjo, asked the PTDF to take over the construction of the institution at the time, as a way of providing opportunities for Niger Delta youths. Later on, the present Federal Government upgraded the status to a polytechnic and finally, just a few months ago, we were appointed as the pioneer principal officers to kick-start the institution.

    “Yes, it is a federal institution, but it is in Rivers State and we felt that we must come and formally pay you a courtesy call.”

    Amaechi, in his response, lauded the principal officers for the visit and hoped that the objectives of the establishment of the polytechnic would be realised.

    He said: “Let me welcome you to Port Harcourt. Most of you, I guess, must come from this part of Nigeria and I wish you all the best. I hope that you achieve the objectives. God bless you. Thank you very much”.

     

  • Boko Haram’ll end when Fed Govt wants, says Amaechi

    Boko Haram’ll end when Fed Govt wants, says Amaechi

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi at the weekend said the war against Boko Haram insurgents will not stop unless the Federal Government is ready to tackle it sincerely.

    The governor alleged that some Federal Government institutions have stolen the money meant for human and infrastructural development.

    He also indicted the Presidency of inciting Muslims and Christians against one another to win the 2015 general elections by all means.

    Amaechi spoke on Kaduna-based Liberty Radio weekly programme, “Guest of the Week”.

    The governor noted that until the Federal Government tackled corruption, education and poverty, insurgency would continue across the land.

    According to him, if the Federal Government supports the military through intelligence gathering, which has combated militancy in Rivers State and other Niger Delta states, it would be the end to the menace.

    Amaechi said there is need for the Federal Government to work with everybody, especially the locals, to know who and where the insurgents live.

    The governor stressed that it was the failure of the government that caused militancy.

    Using the Niger Delta militancy as a case study, he said: “It took me just two months to deal with militancy in Port Harcourt (Rivers State capital). If a state could achieve that within that space of time, how much more the Federal Government that has everything it needs at its disposal. At least, if we did not stop militancy, it has reduced.

    “The earlier the Federal Government stopped inciting Muslims against Christians to win elections, the better for Nigeria.

    “Killing militants was not the solution to the militancy. So, we began with infrastructure and gave them economic livelihood. That’s because when they know that when they go out, they would earn some money, they would not have time to perpetrate evil of this magnitude.”

    Responding to a question on the alleged rift between him and President Goodluck Jonathan, Amaechi said: “We are not quarrelling; we just have a disagreement on how to govern the country. I have a huge respect for him. But only he is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. So, he should be the only person to tell us how to bring the abducted Chibok schoolgirls back.”

    On whether or not he had the intention to run for the Presidency in 2015 on the platform of the All Peoples Congress (APC), the Ikwere-born politician said he could only do so if he had the support of at least 25 million Nigerians.

  • Amaechi, Wike disagree on contracts for model schools

    Amaechi, Wike disagree on contracts for model schools

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike have disagreed on the award of contracts for model schools and roads.

    During a tour of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area at the weekend, Amaechi accused Wike, his former chief of staff, of diverting over N2 billion meant for the building of 14 model primary schools in the area.

    He also accused Wike of depriving Rivers people of good governance.

    Amaechi said: “What I did when I assumed office as governor in 2007 was think of how to put food on the table of our people as an alternative to militancy. I built economic infrastructure and you can see it yourselves. In every model school we built, we employed 50 persons and we have built about 500 model primary schools. For every health centre we built, we employed a minimum of 50 persons and we have built 140 model primary health centres. When we came, hospitals had only 200 doctors. We employed 200 more to make it 400. We knew 400 will not be enough and we employed 200 more to make it 600 doctors. With these plans, we were able to reduce poverty and unemployment.”

    The governor, who chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said he would soon “expose Wike for who he is”.

    In a telephone interview yesterday, the Chief of Staff, Chief Tony Okocha, told reporters that Wike was desperate to be Rivers’ governor in 2015.

    Okocha said: “I am surprised that Wike is displaying ignorance. He ought to know that Amaechi does not award contracts. The governor is the chairman of the State Executive Council. Contracts of up to N50 million are presented at SEC meetings and the contractors would be invited to defend the contract, while the line commissioner would liaise with the contractor.

    “Wike is concocting lies to disparage Amaechi. Wike is unnecessarily ambitious. He is a drowning man. He is desperate to be Rivers governor next year. Wike is showing Nigerians who he is. He cannot be trusted. He is so unreliable and can betray anybody. Wike has demonstrated to Rivers people that they should not allow him to take them to the dark ages.

    “The junior minister of education is putting touts and attack-dogs together in his Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) to unleash mayhem on peace-loving Rivers people, as witnessed in Rumueprikom and Rumuigbo (Obio/Akpor LGA) on Wednesday. Wike’s quest for power is driving him mad.

    “Wike had a terrible background and was very disrespectful of elders while growing up, such that his family members did not give him a plot of land because he was the black sheep of the family. You know what land means in Ikwerreland. Wike went to the Nigerian Law School in 1996 and finished in 1997. He joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998 and became the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council in 1999.

    “He has never practised as a lawyer. Let him tell Nigerians where he has worked, outside politics. Everything Wike has today he stole from the government. The then Environment Commissioner, Okey Chinda, is now working with Wike. Let Chinda explain what he did with the funds for the landscaping of Port Harcourt.”

    Okocha alleged that Wike allegedly “cornered” funds meant for many model schools and roads through his cronies and companies.

    He urged the people not to take the minister seriously, describing him as “a jester, who is seeking attention”.

    Wike denied the allegations and accused Amaechi of diverting over N3 billion meant for the landscaping of Port Harcourt “through his friends in Ghana”.

    While hosting people from Evo Kingdom, Obio/Akpor Council, in Port Harcourt, Wike said he had nothing to do with the alleged N2 billion school scam and the N7.5 billion for the construction of the 1,000-bed Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital at the Greater Port Harcourt City.

    He said: “Amaechi has never given me any money to build a school. Let him mention those schools and communities. Assuming he gave me 14 schools, am I the commissioner for Education? If he gave me the contract and the job was not done, why didn’t he arrest me? If he gave me the job and I refused to do it, why did he recommend me to be appointed as a minister?

    “Amaechi should account for the N7.5 billion ($50 million) contract for the construction of the 1,000-bed Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital. The $50 million was released to the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, without due approval. I wonder why the hospital has not been built, despite demolishing the old one that was in good use. Where is that money and where is the 1,000-bed hospital?

    “In Amaechi’s government, a Ghanaian contractor was hired for the landscaping of Port Harcourt City for about N3 billion, which was abandoned and the contractor fled. On the fumigation of Port Harcourt City against mosquitoes, over N3 billion was paid to Cuban contractors but the job was not done and the money is yet to be recovered. Are you not seeing mosquitoes where you live?”

    On his governorship ambition, the minister said nobody could intimidate him, adding that the people would hear from him soon.

    The face-off between Amaechi and Wike (both Ikwerre) was as a result of the governor’s statement that no Ikwerre man would succeed him.

    He said the position should go to another senatorial district/ethnic group, but Wike insists he is qualified to be the next governor.

  • Amaechi, Wamakko to Nigerians: Vote against bad governance, poverty

    Amaechi, Wamakko to Nigerians: Vote against bad governance, poverty

    Governors Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers and Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto States have called on Nigerians to vote wisely if they want to bid goodbye to poverty, insecurity and bad governance that have characterized development in the country in the last four years.

    The duo spoke separately in Rimawa town, Sokoto, Thursday at the inauguration of a modern agricultural skills acquisition centre constructed by Wamakko’s administration.

    Wamakko said Nigerians should not only be yearning for change but actualise their commitment through votes.

    The governors described current government at the top as weak, inefficient and has failed to deliver in all respects.

    According to them, the All Progressives Congress is ready to change the direction of Nigeria and Nigerians to a secure and better nation in the interest of the citizens.

    Ameachi said there was need for a total departure from where Nigerians are now, adding that “the only treatment that can cure Nigerians of the Peoples Democratic Party is APC.

    “If you remember your childhood days when you have headache, doctors prescribe APC for you and you don’t need any alternative today than APC to bring back the country to life,” he said.

    He described Wamakko as a governor who dispassionately works with honesty and detests corruption to a fault.

    Wamakko said APC as a party was built and focused for a better Nigeria” myself and Ameachi are like mind with similar ideas aimed at promoting and projecting the party in good light.

    “APC is about Nigeria and not ourselves in the interest of transparency, accountability, good governance, food, lives and property security of Nigerians and affordable housing for all,” he stressed.

     

  • Amaechi faults Fed Govt on NYSC

    Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi has slammed the Federal Government’s nonchalance to the plight of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Rivers State.

    He spoke yesterday on the government’s reluctance to solve accommodation problems and other challenges faced by corps members.

    The governor was receiving members of the National Governing Board of the NYSC led by Tijani Adekanbi at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    Amaechi said the Federal Government has failed to address most NYSC challenges, leaving them to the state, despite that the scheme is its responsibility.

  • Amaechi vows to finish strong

    Amaechi vows to finish strong

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has assured the indigenes that his administration would finish strong to the surprise of his detractors.

    He said his ambition was to leave a legacy of good governance and complete projects before the expiration of his tenure.

    Amaechi spoke yesterday at the synod convention organised by Evo Diocese of the Anglican Communion in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    He was the special guest of honour.

    The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Ibim Semenitari, said he would finish strong and would not sell his conscience.

    He advised the church to pray for him and the state, as he would ensure that the wealth of the Rivers people is in a safe hand.

    Amaechi told the congregation that he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to secure the future of Rivers people.

    His words: “As the leader of the Rivers people, I owe you a duty to clarify on why I joined the APC. We have heard people wonder why we moved to the APC. I know we are in the church, but it is important to know that we took the decision to protect the future of Rivers people.”