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  • Wike’s chief of staff berates Peterside

    Wike’s chief of staff berates Peterside

    The Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Chukwuemeka Woke, has berated  the 2015 Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, for “deliberately refusing  to understand  the tenets of developmental philosophy in governance”.

     In a statement  in Port Harcourt yesterday, Woke regretted  that “Dakuku Peterside has formed the habit of making  unguarded comments to gain political attention”.

    He said: “The attention of the Rivers State government has been drawn to another unfortunate  ranting of the defeated Rivers APC governorship candidate.

     “In the unguarded statement  published in one of the national newspapers, Peterside condemned  the  dissolution  of the State Executive Council by Governor Wike.  This is most unfortunate and a proof that Peterside lacks knowledge of the rudiments of governance”.

     He explained that  after  two years of quality and developmental  leadership, Governor Wike needed to inject fresh  blood to increase the tempo of delivery of democracy dividends in the state.

     Woke said Wike is involved  in rapidly  developing  the state after “Dakuku’s  boss raped the coffers of Rivers State”.

    According  to  him, Wike  has the right to rejig his cabinet  at any time.

     “Dakuku spent four years as Amaechi’s commissioner for Works with an average of about N300 billion without  meaningful  improvement on roads. It took the  emergence  of Governor  Wike to develop  the road infrastructure of the state .

     “Dakuku, a breastfeeding political godson of Amaechi should recall that governors of Nasarawa, Borno, Imo, Kano, Bauchi, Lagos, among other APC governors, have since changed their  cabinets without  anyone raising eyebrow.  The 2015  failed APC governorship candidate should keep quiet and allow the governor  concentrate  on developing Rivers State, ”  Woke said.

    He added that  contrary to the allegation by Peterside, Governor Wike has improved the fortunes of traditional rulers and has shown them respect.

    The chief of staff to the governor informed  that Wike is building a befitting  secretariat  for traditional rulers.

     Woke said Peterside and his principal, Rotimi Amaechi,  should present their  scorecards as representatives of Rivers State  to the people.

  • Wike making joke of governance, says Peterside

    Wike making joke of governance, says Peterside

    The 2015 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has lambasted Governor Nyesom Wike’s style of governance.

     In four days, Wike sacked his special advisers and caretaker chairmen of four local governments, who had barely spent three weeks in office, for unknown reasons.

     The governor earlier sacked his commissioners, accusing them of disloyalty.

     Dr Peterside said the governor’s actions are reminiscent of a confused despot afraid of those around him.

    He was piqued that Wike is playing with the dignity and sense of belonging of Rivers men and women, ‘’who deserve  respect and honour’’.

     H said: “Wike is just a confused man, he does not trust anybody around him. He is afraid of his shadow and thinks that only him can be right.

    “These are attributes of a despot. He is afraid of everybody and everybody is afraid of him. All the people that have worked with him are afraid to talk or even take initiatives. They can only complain to close friends.”

     Peterside, who is the director general, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), accused the governor of deliberately hiding the budget of Rivers State to stop people from challenging him and subjecting his policies to scrutiny.

    He stressed that Wike never prepared to govern but was only interested in acquiring power to serve a selfish motive of being an emperor and maximum ruler.

    “Wike did not have focus so, he is simply proving true to type of what we know about him; he cannot stand contrary opinion and alternative views, hence he wants to surround himself with people who cannot hold contrary views from his.

    “He is a dictator at heart and it is clear to Rivers people that they made a mistake in 2015. Two thousand and nineteen presents an opportunity to put an end to a deceitful government that has not told them how their money is spent.

     ”Our fathers, mothers, brother and sisters, who are pensioners, have not been paid for several months; local government workers are being owed months; teachers are still owed outstanding, and only recently, Rivers got N10 billion from Paris Club refund, what has the governor done with the money?”

  • Peterside, ex-commissioner berate Wike for revocation of hotel’s C of O

    Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Petetside, and a former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George, have berated Governor Nyesom Wike, for Sunday’s revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of Novotel Hotel, Port Harcourt.

    Peterside, who described Wike’s action as the worse trait of fascism, however, said he had forewarned Rivers people and the international community.

    The NIMASA chief, who was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 election, yesterday in a statement by his media team, said: “In 2015, I warned Rivers people, the international and business community that Wike should not be trusted to protect their investments and stakes.”

    Tam-George, who recently resigned before Wike sacked his commissioners, also noted that if a business premises was suspected or established to be a crime scene, the police, acting on a court order, could move in to take control.

    The ex-Information commissioner said: “It is extraordinary for a state government to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy of a business, simply because opposition politicians lodged there.

    “Politicians in the state may think this is part of politics, but it is a hostile signal to the business and investment community that Rivers State is a turbulent environment, and that a 99-year land lease could be withdrawn erratically any minute, by the governor.”

    Wike announced the revocation of the C of O of Novotel hotel on Sunday, while speaking at the second session of the third synod of Anglican Diocese of Evo in Rivers State, claiming that the facility has become the centre of electoral fraud and malpractice.

    The NIMASA chief said: “Wike had sworn to uphold the Constitution without fear or favour, ill-will or malice against any citizen. It is now left to Wike and his conscience to check whether he has been faithful to his oath.

    “The revocation order is nothing but a reckless, irresponsible and draconian act that could have only come from the desk of a fascist, despot and a dictator.

    “When I heard that Wike revoked the C of O of Novotel Hotel, I thought it was a joke, until I saw a statement to that effect. In his trademark style of governance, he denied the management of Novotel Hotel any opportunity to respond to any accusation. Wike alone was the accuser, prosecutor, witness and jury in this matter.

    “It is sad that at a time when Rivers State needs every investment it can muster to create jobs for youths, arrest insecurity and stabilise social relationships, Wike is busy closing established multinationals, global chains and respected franchise to which Novotel Hotel belongs. In his maladministration, Wike blames everybody, but himself, for the woes that have befallen Rivers State since he shot into the Office of the Governor.

    “It is part of a government’s fundamental and social duty to create a conducive economic baseline for companies and firms to operate and expand their businesses, while new ones are attracted. Serious governments offer free land, tax rebate and other incentives to woo investors. But for Wike, his is to create joblessness and stifle companies struggling to break even.

    “In this singular action, Wike must have pushed not less than 500 people into the labour market. The social and economic reactions would be dire on families, state and country. He has also raised an adverse business advisory to would-be investors, that Rivers State is not safe for investment.”

    “By the singular act, he (Wike) advertised his contempt for hard work and industry. He twitched his nose against commerce. As a man who has no calculation of state interest in mind, he has added with his own hands to the pool of the unemployed in the state. It is frightful omen of unemployment in the context of the rise of criminality, violence, gangsterism and cultism under his watch as the chief steward of River State.”

    Peterside, a former member of the House of Representatives, also expressed concern that the Rivers governor had formed the habit of going to churches to make pronouncements that had been at best ridiculous and attempts to hoodwink Christians into believing some of his baseless allegations.

    He said: “I feel for him (Wike), because he will be disgraced out of power. Already, he is a shame in conduct, diction and association. Nobody can use the name of Christ in vain. God cannot be fooled and He cannot be mocked. The Church of Christ knows all political leaders and their antecedents.

    “Recently, he (Wike) said Rivers State is a Christian state, real enough. The Bible says, among my people are wicked men. All may be called to the Church of Christ in Rivers, but Wike is among those not chosen. ”

     

  • Peterside seeks better placement for Africa in IMO

    Peterside seeks better placement for Africa in IMO

    The Chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administration (AAMA),  Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has called for increased representation of the continent on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Council and its Secretariat.

    Peterside, who made the appeal when he led a delegation of some members of AAMA Executive Committee to meet with the IMO Secretary General, Mr. Kitack Lim at the Organization’s Headquarters in London, said that there was the need for Africa’s proportionate representation to commensurate with the size of the continent’s membership of IMO.

    According to the AAMA Chairman, “you will agree with me that the number of African Nations at the council of the IMO is disproportionate to the size of the continent’s representation at the global maritime body, therefore to drive Africa’s maritime sector development agenda, there is need for a proportionate and effective representation of the continent in council and at the secretariat”, he said.

    Peterside, who is also the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) noted the various initiatives embarked upon by the AAMA leadership including cooperation by the member nations in capacity building, to impact on the continent’s maritime sector.

    IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim commended the African Maritime Administrations for their high level organization and a proactive leadership of AAMA with a drive towards ensuring that Africa Maritime sector remains viable.

    He urged African Nations to continue working closely to remain a formidable block that would be of influence in decision making at the IMO.

    Lim noted that he is from a developing country despite the recent successes of his home country so appreciates the African position. He pledged to continue to champion greater assistance to developing countries so they will benefit more from global maritime trade. He promised to Liaise with technical staff of IMO and get back to AAMA on the various requests made.

    The AAMA delegation includes the Director General of Ghana Maritime Authority Mr. Kwame Owuaru, CEO of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), Mr. Sobantu Tilayi, others include the Executive Director Finance and Administration, NIMASA, Mr. Bashir Jamoh, the chairperson of African Maritime Advisory Group (AMAG), Azara Prempeh  and Phimulani Myeni of  South Africa.

    Mr. Juvenal Shiundu, a Director in IMO of Kenya origin and Mr. William Azuh, Head of IMO technical section for Africa joined the Secretary General of IMO to receive the AAMA delegation.

    The AAMA team also recently met with representatives of African countries at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), under the auspices of African Maritime Advisory Group (AMAG) at the IMO Headquarters in London.

  • Abe, Peterside disagree over Rivers APC congress 

    Abe, Peterside disagree over Rivers APC congress 

    Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers Southeast) and the Director-General of  the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, have disagreed over the All Progressive, Congress (APC’s) non-elective congress and election of delegates for the forthcoming National Convention of the party in Rivers State.

    Abe, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), alleged manipulation of the delegates list by some APC leaders.

    Peterside, a former member of the House of Representatives, however hailed the congress, describing it as peaceful.

    Abe insisted the congress that should have produced the delegates did not hold, stating the committee delegated by the national secretariat of the APC to monitor the exercise in the state ended up at a hotel in Rivers state.

    The Senator said: ”There has been no congress in Rivers State. The so-called stakeholders’ meeting in the state on Friday ended in a fiasco.

    “The committee members from the national secretariat of APC did not come to the party’s secretariat on Forces Avenue, Port Harcourt yet people waited for the materials.

    “Nobody should stay in a hotel and use any list for Rivers people. It is clear there was no congress in Rivers State. Whatever has been done will not stand.”

    Dakuku, on his part, praised the Rivers chapter of the APC for the proper conduct of the congress.

    He lauded APC leaders and faithful at various levels and congress officials for conducting a hitch-free exercise, which he said drew commendations across the board.

    The NIMASA chief also commended the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for his leadership and the state party executives for transparent coordination of the non-elective congress.

    In a statement by his media team, Dakuku said: “What we are going through in Rivers State is temporary as APC will give Rivers people back their voice and confidence.

    “The journey of making our people part of the development agenda of Nigeria begins with simple democratic exercise, such as the peaceful LGA congress we have just had.”

    The NIMASA chief, who was the governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers during the 2015 general election, stressed that the party remained the only credible choice for Rivers people in 2019.

  • Peterside: Maritime University will start academic activities in October  

    Peterside: Maritime University will start academic activities in October  

    ACADEMIC activities will take off at the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, in Delta State,  in October, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dakuku Peterside, has assured.

    He also noted that the establishment of the varsity by the Federal Government and other institutes for maritime studies in six universities across Nigeria were efforts by his agency towards building the requisite capacity for the industry.

    Peterside, a former member of the House of Representatives, stated these yesterday at the world-class conference hall of INTELS, Onne Port Complex in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, at the celebration of the annual Seafarers’ Day, with the theme: “Seafarers Matter.”

    The guest speaker on the occasion was Capt. Fola Ojutalayo. There were goodwill messages from eminent personalities and colourful cultural displays by two groups from Rivers state.

    The NIMASA chief, who is the first director-general of the agency (NIMASA) to attend seafarers’ day, stated that the day was set aside by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to celebrate seafarers globally, for their numerous contributions to the development of shipping and the world economy.

    He noted that the celebration was to engage the people working in the ports and other seafarer centres to demonstrate how much the seafarers mattered.

    Peterside, who was the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state in 2015, stressed that the IMO expected everyone in the shipping industry and members of the public to support the seafarers’ global campaign, by showing appreciation of how important the seafarers were.

    He said: “The seafarers are not only important to the shipping companies, but are equally important to everyone on the planet, because they transport all over the world, those essential items, commodities and components which are so important to our daily lives.

    “For us in NIMASA, the seafarers will continue to occupy a pride of place in our activities, which explains why priority attention is being paid to the development of human capacity, through the adoption of a multi-strategy approach, aimed at encouraging the young school leavers to take a career at sea as cadets, through the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), while also facilitating the training and retraining of existing seafarers to enhance their eligibility to take up job opportunities anywhere in the world.

    “The NSDP, which was initiated by the agency (NIMASA) in 2008, with the aim of bridging the gap observed in the dearth of seafarers in the country, as a result of the liquidation of the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL), has so far facilitated the training of 2,259 young Nigerians in various fields of maritime studies in reputable maritime institutions in the United Kingdom, Egypt, Romania, India and the Philippines.

    “Arrangements are at advanced stage for the placement of 943 cadets of the NSDP on board vessels, for their mandatory sea time. The agency has maintained consistency in its policy of training and retraining of seafarers for relevant skills’ acquisition and upgrade.”

    Peterside also stated that the purpose of the training and retraining was to ensure that Nigeria had adequate skilled manpower for the maritime industry, especially in meeting the demands of the cabotage regime.

    He said: “The agency (NIMASA), in March this year, facilitated the training of 428 seafarers on mandatory courses and other specific areas of specialisation for career progression.

    “The agency is also engaging ship owners and seafarers’ employers on the need to provide gainful employment to qualified Nigerian seafarers. It is important that our ship owners should give some level of preference to our seafarers, especially in the cabotage trade, as against the practice of engaging foreign seafarers.

    “As Nigerians and maritime operators, we should be proud of our seafarers and also encourage them to develop their careers/competencies, like their foreign counterparts.

    “The Cabotage Act is undergoing review by the National Assembly and it is the agency’s position that the review will take care of all the grey areas in the application, processing and granting of waiver to the extent it should be seen to give some level of advantage to Nigerian seafarers, especially in the areas of employment and specialised training.”

    The NIMASA director-general lauded the seafarers for their sacrifices, courage and commitment towards making the world a better place for all to live.

    He enjoined all well-meaning Nigerians, including government agencies, ship owners, seafarers’ employers, oil and gas operators and other maritime practitioners to acknowledge the importance of seafarers by appreciating them,  through putting in place sustainable policies for improved working and living conditions for them.

  • Rivers: Abe’s, Wihioka’s, Wanjoku’s victories well deserved, says Peterside

    Rivers: Abe’s, Wihioka’s, Wanjoku’s victories well deserved, says Peterside

    • Senator hails judgment

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency  (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has described  as well deserved, the victories at the election petitions tribunal of chieftains of the All Progressives Congress  (APC) in Rivers State: Senator Magnus Abe, Chidi Wihioka and Azubuike Wanjoku.

    He stated that the judiciary had affirmed what Rivers people always knew, that their votes were rightfully given to the APC.

    Peterside, who was the governorship candidate of the APC in Rivers state during the 2015 election, spoke with reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt.

    He noted that the victory of Abe, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), was not only victory for the people of Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, but the entire state, stressing that the senator had once again deepened the believe in the judiciary.

    He said: “The people of Rivers Southeast Senatorial District will continue to stand by the votes they gave to Senator Magnus Abe to represent them in the National Assembly.

    “I have always said that APC will win any free and fair election in Rivers State. Our people are today seeing a directionless Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Rivers State government, foisted on us. APC will surely take over Rivers State in 2019.”

    The NIMASA chief also urged Abe, Wihioka and Wanjoku not to be deterred in their quests to bring dividends of democracy to their district and constituents.

    Speaking on the loss of APC’s Maureen Tamuno and Sampson Egop at the election petitions tribunal, Peterside, a former member of the House of Representatives, urged them not to lose hope.

    Abe described the judgment at the election petitions tribunal in Abuja as victory for all Rivers people.

    He also lauded the judiciary on the landmark judgement, in a petition filed by Olaka Worgu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Abe lauded the people of Rivers Southeast senatorial district for the massive support.

    The senator, in a statement yesterday by his Spokesperson, Parry Benson, urged Worgu and his supporters to join hands with him to move the senatorial district and Rivers state forward.

    Abe, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), stated that what should be of paramount concern to every person from the senatorial district was the dividends of democracy, while assuring them that very soon they would benefit immensely for voting for him.

    He gave an assurance that he would not discriminate against anyone, stressing that it did not matter whether anybody from the senatorial district did not vote for him.

    The senator enjoined the people of the district, no matter the political party they belong, to support him, in order to enable him to get all the benefits due them.

    He said: “I want to congratulate the judiciary and all Rivers people. This is a victory for all of us and all those who believe in democracy and due process.

    “At this point, l will like to plead with everybody that it is time to let go of this quagmire and give the people of our senatorial district the opportunity to benefit from the dividends of democracy.

    “I thank all those who voted for me and all those who did not vote for me. I thank God Almighty who has made all things possible.”

    Abe assured that he would put in his best in the service of the people of his senatorial district, Rivers state and Nigeria.

     

  • Eid-El-Fitri: Peterside preaches unity, felicitates with Nigerians

    Eid-El-Fitri: Peterside preaches unity, felicitates with Nigerians

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has felicitated with Muslim faithful on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fast and celebration of the Eid-El-Fitri, while calling for unity among Nigerians.

    He urged Muslim faithful to learn from the significance of the fasting period, which he said dwelt on sacrifice, selflessness, love and unity.

    Peterside, yesterday in a statement by his media team, stated that the lessons learnt from the Ramadan fast should continue to guide the faithful’s daily living and their contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria.

    The NIMASA chief tasked Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to continue to pray for the quick recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari and more wisdom for the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in the discharge of his responsibilities.

    He said: “Let us continue to pray for President Buhari and his team as they think of ways and means of bringing Nigeria out of recession. This period calls for commitment on the part of everybody. I am confident that in due course, the economy will get better.

    “We should also pray for the unity of this country. God has a reason for bringing us together. We can achieve greatness if we put aside our differences and work together with oneness in fulfillment of our aspirations.”

    On the incessant killings and insecurity in Rivers, Peterside, the 2015 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, admonished Muslims and Rivers people to pray for peace and unmasking of the persons behind the evil acts.

  • Amaechi completed Omehia’s projects, says Peterside

    Amaechi completed Omehia’s projects, says Peterside

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has faulted Governor Nyesom Wike ‘s claim that ex-Governor Celestine Omehia never completed projects initiated by his predecessor.

    He was reacting to interviews granted by Wike on radio and television programmes wherein the governor responded to issues raised by former governor Amaechi at a birthday event organised in his honour in Port Harcourt last weekend.

    Among other things, Wike claimed that Amaechi never continued any project started by his predecessor, that local government chairmen were paying money to Amaechi’s wife on monthly basis, in addition to the former governor not finishing any project while in office and frittering Rivers money to others state in the country.

    Peterside said Wike “is daily giving himself away as somebody who is “manifestly incompetent and a serial liar who has no sense of shame”.

    He went on: “Sometimes, you wonder whether Wike thinks before he speaks or that lying is entrenched in his blood. I have never seen or met any public servant who lies so conveniently like Wike. Rivers state is now a butt of laughter in Nigeria.”

    The NIMASA DG, who was commissioner for works during Amaechi’s first tenure expressed worry over the way and manner the Rivers governor was conducting himself in public domain, especially as it relates to civility, oath of office and reverence required of the office he occupies.

    “Wike has a long list of lies. Just before the last rerun elections in Rivers state, he claimed he had a videotape of where police and INEC had connived to rig the election in favour of APC, till today; he has not presented any tape to Nigerians.

    “Not long ago, Wike claimed he had awarded a road project in Benue state to the tune of N2bn. As I speak today, the lying governor has not been able to show anybody where the road is and which contractor is handling the project.

    “Just recently, Wike shocked even himself when he claimed that the $43m found at a residence in Ikoyi belongs to Rivers state government. The Federal High Court in Lagos gave ample opportunity for anybody to come forward and claim the money. The loquacious governor failed to show up after boasting that he had assembled lawyers to prove his claim.

    “The also governor claimed that his predecessor never finished any project started by the Celetine Omehia led-administration. Nothing can be further from the truth. Ask Wike who awarded the multibillion naira Eleme junction overhead bridge interchange and who finished the project?

    “As one of the cabinet members and close family friend, I can say boldly that at no time did local government chairmen pay Amaechi’s wife monthly. This is a lie from a dubious person. Interestingly, Wike was chief of staff then and he was the one that had the most interactions with council chairmen, I suspect he may have been collecting money from them while using the governor’s wife name,” he said.

  • N100b revenue in five months: Wike has no excuse for non-performance, says Peterside

    N100b revenue in five months: Wike has no excuse for non-performance, says Peterside

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State during the 2015 election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has stated that Governor Nyesom Wike has no excuse for non-performance, in view of the N100 billion revenue his administration has received from the federation account in the last five months.

    He also described non-performance as the hallmark of Wike’s administration.

    Peterside, in a statement yesterday by his Media Team, lauded the Federal Ministry of Finance for revealing that Rivers got the highest amount of N34 billion from Paris Club refund, in addition to over N75 billion accruing to the state from federal allocations in the past five months.

    He said: “There is nothing on the ground to suggest that Rivers State received the huge amount of money, especially with the sustained insecurity, inability to pay pensioners and staff of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) and non-employment of Rivers youths, among other outstanding obligations.

    “The Rivers governor is busy brandishing projects executed by the immediate past administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and trying to claim credit for same.”

    Peterside, who is also the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said Wike was running the affairs of the state to the detriment of the majority.

    He lamented the high level of insecurity in many parts of the state, adding that Wike has failed in the area of his primary responsibility.

    The NIMASA chief said: “The first responsibility of a state governor is security of lives and property. Despite the huge revenues that have come the way of our state, Wike is yet to understand that governance goes beyond carrying out a handful of projects. The will to ensure security of lives and property and provision of jobs for our teeming youths go hand in hand.

    “Unemployment is on the rise and this is what is fueling criminality and crimes in the state. Rivers youth have been abandoned to their fate, with no clear policy to enable them to achieve their aspirations.

    “With the amount of money the governor has received in the last five months, in addition to over N100 billion borrowed from banks, there is no reason why our state should not be better secure and courting favours of investors.

    “Since Wike became governor, no major investor, either foreign or local, has looked the way of Rivers State. Despite wasting our money in hosting all manner of events, no serious attempt has been made to employ our youths. Rather than create employment, the Rivers governor has made more people jobless. All visionary policies and programmes of his predecessor (Rotimi Amaechi) have become moribund.

    “The only company engaged in any massive project in Rivers state today is the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) on Bonny Island and we all know the roles played by former Governor Amaechi (now Transcription Minister) to bring the headquarters to Rivers State.”

    Peterside, a former member of the House of Representatives, also called on Wike to listen to Rivers people and make his administration open and transparent for citizens to know what accrues to the state and how their commonwealth was being utilised, not for the benefit of a few, but for everybody.