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Tag: Amaechi

  • Amaechi: Amadi’s appointment is God’s handwork

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has described Chris Amadi’s appointment as Acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration (EDFA) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as the handwork of God.

    Amaechi, who was represented by the Rivers State Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, spoke yesterday at a thanksgiving service at St. John’s Anglican Church, Adanta, Isiokpo, Rivers State.

    The thanksgiving was organised by the people of Isiokpo in honour of Amadi.

    Amaechi said: “Destiny can only be delayed, it cannot be denied. You need to understand how patient Chris Amadi has been, and what he passed through before his appointment as Acting EDFA of NDDC, then you would know that it is indeed the handwork of God. I thank God. Let us return the glory to God Almighty. I wish you (Amadi) success.”

    Rev. Canon Benedict Eke, who took his text from James 5:1-5, said: “Everybody may not like politicians, but they must continue to trust in God. The political climate in Nigeria is unsuitable for Christians, considering the destructive activities and crises being witnessed across the country, but they should not discourage Christians from participating in politics because God is the author of government.

    “It is condemnable that some rich Nigerians would steal from the commonwealth and prefer to establish industries outside the country, rather than having the companies and industries in Nigeria to employ and empower the people. Always do the will of God and execute the mandate of God in the office you occupy. Only the people who do the will of God will abide forever. Obey God always, and you will make it in this polluted world.”

    Amadi thanked the dignitaries who attended the thanksgiving, saying: “Today is a significant day in the annals of history of Isiokpo Kingdom, Ikwerre people and Rivers State. I come from a very humble and poor family in Adanta, Isiokpo. Sometime in 1998, God, by His divine mercies and connections, made my path to cross with our leader, Amaechi. Since that day till today, I find in him a brother and a father. He has taken me as his personal project. I cannot write my history without mentioning Rotimi Amaechi.

    “He was there when my father was sick, he paid the bills for him to be treated abroad, but unfortunately, he could not make it. We brought him back to bury him and Amaechi still took care of the burial.

    “Amaechi had been on this project in the last three years. He was resilient and God used him to make my appointment as Acting EDFA of NDDC possible. I give God all the glory. It is only God in heaven that can bless Amaechi and pay him back. It does not matter how some people try to undermine him, but God will continue to bless him. If I do not make this clarification, some people may wonder what led to this transformation.”

    The service was attended by the Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa and wife, Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside, among others.

    A reception held at the palace of the Nyenwe Ali Isiokpo, Eze Blessing Wagor, who is also the Chairman of Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers.

  • CJN Onnoghen: Amaechi replies Wike

    TRANSPORTATION Minister Rotimi Amaechi yesterday dismissed as another blatant lie, a statement by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, that he (Amaechi) masterminded alleged plot to pull down the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    The minister, who doubles as the Director General of the Buhari/Osinbajo Reelection Campaign Organisation, said in an online statement that the governor’s allegation was aimed at putting him (Amaechi) on collision course with the judiciary.

    “Amaechi is not a judicial officer and he is not part of whatever is happening in the judiciary. We challenge Wike to mention the name of the APC’s chieftain he falsely alleged that Amaechi discussed the ‘destruction of the CJN with,” Amaechi’s media team said in the statement.

    It recalled how Wike, during the Ikoyi-Osborne-gate scandal, claimed that Amaechi was the owner of the $43 million cash found in the Osborne apartment and that the money was stolen from Rivers State government’s treasury.

    Read also: Wike’s aide kidnapped by unknown gunmen

    It said: “In Wike’s usual chicanery, up till today, he has refused to go to court to claim the $43million found in the Ikoyi apartment, which he claimed was Rivers money stolen by his predecessor. Even when a court of law openly asked anyone laying claim to the money to come forward and collect it, Wike ran far away from the court.”

    The transportation minister said Wike should remember that the immunity he currently enjoys against prosecution for his many libelous attacks on him would not last forever.

    Coninuing, Amaechi’s media office said: “At the appropriate time, he (Wike) will no doubt face the full wrath of the law and ultimately that of the Almighty God.

    “Wike should by now know that Nigerians are tired and are no longer interested in his ranting and cock-and-bull stories against Amaechi.

    “Wike’s outburst against Amaechi is diversionary. Rivers governor knows too well that he has nothing to show Rivers people for his almost four years in office, in a state obviously with one of the highest allocations, thereby resorting to casting aspersions on Amaechi, instead of telling the people what he has done for Rivers State.”

    Transportation minister also called on Rivers people and other lovers of democracy to ignore Wike, whom he described as a frivolous.

    The Rivers State governor had, on Thursday, accused Amaechi of working against his Southsouth brother (Onnoghen).

  • Amaechi tackles Wike on CJN Onnoghen

    The Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has condemned the spurious allegations levelled against him by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, especially on the alleged plot to destroy the embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    Amaechi’s successor, Wike, who was his Chief of Staff between 2007 and 2011, when the then Rivers governor recommended him (Wike) to the then President Goodluck Jonathan for ministerial appointment, at a campaign rally in Rivers state on Thursday, accused the transportation minister of working against his Southsouth brother (Onnoghen).

    The Director-General of Buhari/OsInbajo Reelection Campaign Organisation, on Friday in an online statement through his media office, stated that he read with dismay and utter disgust, Wike’s senseless allegations.

    Amaechi’s media office said: “This is another blatant lie (plot to destroy Onnoghen), just to smear Amaechi and put him on collision course with the judiciary. Ordinarily, we would not have bothered to respond to a governor (Wike), whose stock-in-trade is to concoct stories and lie about almost everything and anything. Wike completely lacks any shred of credibility. Nothing is sacred to him

    “Amaechi is not a judicial officer and he is not part of whatever is happening in the judiciary. We challenge Wike to mention the name of the APC’s chieftain he falsely alleged that Amaechi discussed the ‘destruction of the CJN with.’

    “This Wike’s latest attack on Amaechi is reminiscent of his earlier spurious allegations during the Ikoyi-Osborne-gate scandal, where Wike disgracefully opened his mouth to shamelessly allege that the former Rivers governor (Amaechi) was the owner of the $13 billion and the owner of the Osborne apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos, where the money was kept. Wike lied that the money was stolen from Rivers State government’s treasury.

    “In Wike’s usual chicanery, up till today, he has refused to go to court to claim the $13 billion found in the Ikoyi apartment, which he claimed was Rivers money stolen by his predecessor. Even when a court of law openly asked anyone laying claim to the money to come forward and collect it, Wike ran far away from the court.”

    The transportation minister also reminded Rivers governor that the immunity he currently enjoys against prosecution for his many libellous attacks on him would not last forever.

    Amaechi’s media office also said: “At the appropriate time, he (Wike) will no doubt face the full wrath of the law and ultimately that of the Almighty God.

    Read Also: Charges against CJN not tenable – Lawyer

    “Wike should by now know that Nigerians are tired and are no longer interested in his ranting and cock-and-bull stories against Amaechi. Indeed, it is pathetic and a big shame that Wike does not know that Nigerians already know him as an incurable, incorrigible compulsive liar and do not take him and/or his comments seriously any longer.

    “Wike’s outburst against Amaechi is diversionary. Rivers governor knows too well that he has nothing to show Rivers people for his almost four years in office, in a state obviously with one of the highest allocations, thereby resorting to casting aspersions on Amaechi, instead of telling the people what he has done for Rivers State.”

    Transportation minister also called on Rivers people and other lovers of democracy to ignore Wike, whom he described as a frivolous and deceitful character, who is obviously drunk on power and always high on alcohol.

  • Oshiomhole, Amaechi, Akume to Nigerians: shun PDP, Atiku

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday advised  Nigerians, especially  youths, to keep their distance  from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential flag bearer, Alhaji Atiku  Abubakar, in their own interest and that of Nigeria.

    Oshiomhole with whom were Transportation Minister Rotimi Ameachi and former governor of Benue State, Senator  George Akume, told the people of  Plateau State to be wary of empty promises from the PDP in the build-up to this year’s elections.

    They spoke at the flag-off of the campaign for the re-election of Governor Simeon Lalong of Plateau State at Rwang Pam Township Stadium, Jos.

    Oshiomole, who received hundreds of defectors from the PDP and other political parties at the rally, urged Nigerians to reject Alhaji Atiku.

    The PDP, according to him, is out to sell Nigeria and urged the people to say “no to Atiku.”

    Amaechi described Lalong as a humble person who has lived up to his campaign promises.

    He blasted the PDP for anchoring its campaign on alleged hunger in Nigeria.

    He said if PDP leaders who ruled Nigeria in the past had not milked Nigeria dry, Nigeria would have been better off today.

    He said:”The next election is not about Buhari and Atiku, but it should be about what the PDP has done in 16 years and what the APC has done in three years. Buhari is addressing the problems of Nigeria and very soon we will overcome the present challenges.”

    Wife of the President,  Aisha Buhari, who was represented by former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Dame Pauline Tallen, said a vote for Buhari and Lalong is a vote for the development of Nigeria and Plateau State.

    She admonished women and youths in Plateau to mobilize massive votes for the President and all APC candidates during the 2019 general elections.

    Senator Akume said Buhari is far better than Atiku in meeting the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

    Governor Lalong described Buhari as his political godfather.

    He said:”When I was elected in 2015, I never knew where to start, but when I went to Mr President, he extended his support.

    “He has given us peace on the Plateau and anytime I ask him for anything, he never hesitates in granting my request.

    “So, Buhari is my political godfather.’’

    The defectors, who formally joined the APC yesterday, were led by ex-factional Chairman of National Football Association (NFA), Chris Giwa, while chairmen of 45 political parties in the state endorsed Buhari and Lalong for the 2019 elections.

    Oshiomole urged the defectors to join the re-enforcement of the power of the broom in providing quality and purposeful leadership in the country.

  • Amaechi: 2019 fight between rich, poor in Kwara

    Director General Buhari/Osibajo Campaign Organisation Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi on Friday revealed that the 2019 elections in Kwara and by extension Nigeria are between the rich and the poor.

    Amaechi added that the rich and thieves have ganged-up against the All Progressives Congress (APC) -led administration.

    Amaechi, who is the Transportation Minister, said this in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital at the inauguration of APC ward canvassers ahead of 2019 general elections in the state.

    He said: “We are gathered here today to peacefully take over power from the rich and hand over to the poor. That is what APC stands for. We join the poor to say we must take power from the rich. We join the poor to say ‘enough is enough.’

    “The elite and the thieves have ganged-up against APC. But they don’t have the power because they don’t have the number. The number is with the poor and the poor must rise to vote on that day. Take

    “This election is between the rich and the poor. Now the poor have realized that they are tired. If at the end of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government we had $58 billion, where is the money now? How much did state governments collect? How much did the Federal Government collect? What did they do with the money?

    “When I was a student at the University of Port Harcourt I predicted that one day the poor will rise. It will get to a point when the poor will begin to eat big men. What you are seeing in Kwara is a modern Tunisia. It was a poor man that started the Arab Spring in Tunisia. Today Kwara is leading the revolution to change Nigeria. Power must
    return to the poor. One problem we all have is that even we the poor are being deceived by them.

    “Big men are in all the parties o! The difference between other parties and ours is that the big men in our party are all progressives. Other parties don’t care, they want to even collect what the poor is eating from them.”

    Earlier, Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the gathering was a demonstration of the people’s resolve to rescue the state from “those who have held it by the jugular, those who have pauperized our people, the pathologically-dishonest ones who govern by deceit.”

    Read Also: FG to assist erosion, flood-prone communities

    Alhaji Mohammed, who is the leader of APC in the state added that: “We are inaugurating an army of well recruited, tested and trusted canvassers, who will go from house to house in each of the 1,872 polling units to tell our people why they must vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and all the candidates of APC right here in Kwara State in the 2019 general elections.

    “Gathered here today are 1,872 canvassers representing the 18,720 canvassers. That is one canvasser per each polling unit across the 193 wards in Kwara State. We are also inaugurating today 193 ward co-ordinators, 193 ward secretaries, 193 ward women leaders and 193 ward youth leaders.

    “These canvassers will be our victory army, the army that will dismantle the gargantuan edifice of corruption and mis-governance that has held our dear state down for too long. This unprecedented move is our most potent weapon against the enemies of the state and the oppressors of the people.” He urged the APC candidates in the state not to entertain any fear against the backdrop of the recent Kwara state High Court judgement recognizing the dissolved Balogun-Fulani-led executives of APC.

    Said he: “Please permit me to use this forum to assure all candidates elected on the platform of our great party: our governorship, NationalAssembly and House of Assembly candidates that the recent court judgment in respect of the state executive council of the party has not affected the validity of their candidature. They remain the authentic candidates of our great party and should go about their campaigns without any fear of being disqualified.

    “While we have gone ahead to appeal this judgment, our candidates should not be distracted by the antics of the desperate opposition in Kwara State. I have read the judgement. The suit was not properly constituted. None of the candidates was joined as a party and therefore the judgement cannot be binding on any of them. It is an elementary principle of law that a judgment cannot be binding on a person who was not a party to the suit, just as a person who is not a party to a suit cannot benefit from the judgement. Do not panic. Do
    not be distracted.”

    The minister also used the forum to reel out once again the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s achievements in the last three and half years.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has delivered on his promise to revamp the economy, secure our country and fight corruption. This has made the work of our canvassers much easier because they know exactly what to tell the people.

    “No government in the history of Nigeria has achieved this feat. Even our detractors acknowledge this, though the lust for power often beclouds their sense of judgement.”

  • Amaechi gives contractor two weeks to fix Iju-Agbado rail line

    Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi yesterday gave the contractor handling the Lagos-Ibadan rail project two weeks to complete the at Iju-Agbado axis.

    He gave the ultimatum during the monthly inspection of the project. The minister noted that work was slow because of the scarcity of the equipment needed.

    Amaechi said 30-passenger coaches and about 300 wagons would be used on the axis upon completion.

    He said: “The problem the contractor has now is the civil work between Agbado and Iju, which is critical to me because I don’t think passengers should go and board train from Agbado.

    “I believe that it is important that the closer we are to Lagos, the better for the rail. That is what we are battling now because I want them to use the same speed noticed in some sections in the construction of Agbado area to Iju.

    “They want us to flag off from Agbado, but I don’t want because I feel Iju will be more appropriate to flag off and they said they will be ready with that axis in two weeks. But I think we should get to Iju because it will not be wise to drive from Lagos to Agbado to board train.”

    On the unavailability of equipment, he said: “They argued that lack of equipment was responsible for the pace of work because the equipment are not on the shelf that can just be picked and paid for. What is causing the delay on the Agbado to Iju axis is equipment related.

    “The equipment have to be brought from overseas. We will have to wait for the processing and then ship it down and if we wait for those equipment, we might be finishing the job when the equipment would arrive.”

    On the arrival of coaches, Amaechi said: “We are expecting 30-passenger coaches mixed with locomotive wagons, 300 wagons and two sets of Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) made up of 10 coaches each and two motorcars, which will arrive in Lagos before the construction work is completed.”

    He said the major challenge at the Lagos seaport was not clearing but inefficient rail line.

    The minister dismissed the claim that his frequent visit to the construction site was due to external pressure

    He said: “The problem at the Lagos seaport is not clearing because goods are cleared in time. The problem is movement of those goods out of port.

    “I am not under pressure from anybody. Part of the solution to Lagos seaport is an efficient rail line. You can argue that the narrow gauge is there, but it is not efficient. The moment we fix this, those goods will be transferred to the rail and the logjam will disappear.

    “So the pressure is more economic than political or people-based. Once they finish Iju, I will push them to go to the seaport. Once that is done, there will be no more logjam and then businesses will grow, which will create more employment.”

    He said the Federal Government would continue test run on the Itakpe-Warri rail till May after which it would begin commercial activities.

  • Abe: I supported Amaechi to become governor

    Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers South-East) has said he didn’t betray Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, but rather supported him to become governor in 2007.

    Abe, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisted that neither the future of the party nor its members could be determined by an individual.

    He stressed that the persons who created the crisis in the party should admit their fault and apologise.

    Abe, who spoke yesterday in a statement by his spokesman, Parry Benson, said: “There is no point doing something wrong that has destroyed the fabric of unity, the bond of friendship, the mutual respect and the ability to work together existing in APC.

    “Somebody (Amaechi) can just get up for no reason whatsoever and turn friends into enemies, turn brothers against one another for no reason whatsoever. Simply because some people just want to show that they have power, and even as they watch the destruction that they have left in the party, they didn’t have the decency and courage to face up to what they have done, apologise and find ways to unite the people.

    “So, for us to move forward, people must have the humility to admit where they have failed, because if something is going well, who gets the credit? If something is going badly, who should get the blame?

    “The good news I have for you is that your faith, future and salvation cannot be determined by anybody. It will be determined by you, and I know that all of us have suffered and sacrificed so much to build APC in Rivers State.”

    Abe hoped that APC’s governorship candidate would win the election and be inaugurated on May 29, 2019, thus preventing Governor Nyesom Wike from being re-elected.

    He added: “We are ready to do whatever is needed to put APC where it belongs, which is in the Government House. Nobody can stop you from achieving what God has destined for you. So, when you have failed in your responsibility as a leader to put people together and improve their bond of friendship, what you should do is admit that you have not done well, and then have the humility to ask for help’’.

  • Amaechi flags off historic test run on Lagos- Ibadan standard gauge rail line

     

    Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi took a historic trip on the Lagos- Ibadan standard gauge rail line on Tuesday for about 50 minutes.

    During his routine visit on December 4, Amaechi insisted he had to ride a rail car on the tracks by December 18.

    He embarked on the 36- km journey with members of the House Committee on Land Transportation led by its chairman Abdulmumin Jibrin, top officials of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, top management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), officials of the Federal Ministry of Works, the CCECC and a consortium of Federal Government engineers and consultants.

    Amaechi expressed his readiness to invite Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other members of the Federal Executive Council to a ride on the tracks by first week of January.

    He dedicated the success of the project to the media, who according to him, defied the sun or rain to stay on the project since it started in June 2017.

    He commended the contractor for bringing the project to fruition within 18 months, while challenging local engineers to rise to the occasion and salvage the nation from the clutches of foreign domination.

    “While praising the Chinese for their engineering prowess which has turned a rain forest into an emerging city, our engineers must see this as a challenge and save Nigeria from the clutches of foreign domination in the area of construction,” Amaechi said.

    The minister added: “This project is nearing completion, right now, work has advanced and we are six kilometres away from Abeokuta.

    “The contractors have assured me that we would be able to ride from Iju in Lagos to Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital by the first week of January 2019.

    “The idea is to bring the Vice President and some ministers to join in the ride.”

    He said once the track is flagged off, the route would be opened for passenger traffic while efforts would be doubled to ensure the standard gauge be taken to Ibadan.

    He said work would begin on the construction of stations immediately the project gets to Ibadan.

  • Amaechi: Lagos-Ibadan rail line operational before Feb 2019

    Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has directed the Chinese Civil Engineering Company (CCECC), the contractors handling the Lagos-Ibadan railway, to ensure that the train becomes operational before February 2019.

    Amaechi spoke during the monthly inspection of the Lagos-Ibadan rail project in Papalando, Ogun State.

    He said the contractors must ensure that the tracks and bridges were completed and the train must make transport sense.

    He said: “There must be train on the tracks before February. It doesn’t matter when, but there must be a train on the track that makes transport sense.

    “What I mean by transport sense is that, it must be able to carry passengers from Abeokuta if not up-to Ibadan, we have agreed that everybody must work towards it.

    “The next inspection is on Dec. 18 and that is two weeks from now.

    “Before, we used to have it once in a month but now it will be twice in a month to ensure that, that is achieved.

    “So, we will be back here to ensure that what we have agreed to today will be implemented. The work is progressing rapidly, the weather is no longer an issue, the elements were an issue before but now it is no longer an issue.

    “You should know that on the 18th, we would have started campaign, the president has emphasised that we must build infrastructure.”

    He said out of 10 bridges, only two was uncompleted, adding that before the next inspection on December 18, one must be completed.

    Amaechi said his role as Director-General, President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign won’t affect his work.

    He said the president was determined to build infrastructure, stating that the monthly inspection would take place every two weeks to ensure progress on the project.

  • Catholic Bishop demands apology from FG, Amaechi over killings

    Makurdi Diocese Catholic Bishop Most Reverend Wilfred Anagbe, has demanded an apology from the federal government, especially Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi for allegeldy attempting to change the narratives of the killing of two priests and 17 worshippers in Mbalom last April.

    Speaking yesterday at St. Ignatius Quasi Parish Ukpo, Mbalom during a homily to mark the rite of atonement and purification of the community from the spilled blood, Anagbe insisted the killing was carried out by herdsmen.

    Two catholic priests and 11 worshippers were killing by suspected Fulani herdsmen during mass in the parish.

    The killings attracted national and international condemnation.

    Anagbe maintained that survivors and witnesses were not in doubt the killers were herdsmen.

    The Bishop alleged the government was using Christians including the minister, APC national chairman as well as presidential spokesman to change the true narrative on the killings. He noted that it was childish and hypocritical for people to insinuate Benue people or Christians were killing themselves.

    He wondered if they were responsible for the killings in other states including Zamfara and Katsina.

    He said herdsmen sent Rev. Fr. Felix Tyolaha packing from Yogbo in Guma Local Government Area before and he had to plead with him to come to Mbalom and serve only to be killed.

    The Bishop stressed the changing narrative was an insult on the sensibilities of the Benue people and Tiv nation.

    He urged politicians not sell the Tiv people for what he described as leftovers.

    The Bishop offered special prayers at the spot where Father Tyolaha was killed before the celebration of mass.