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Tag: Rotimi Amaechi

  • Quest for change made me team up with Buhari – Amaechi

    Quest for change made me team up with Buhari – Amaechi

    The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, says that his pursuit for change made him to leave his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), to join the All Progressives Congress ( APC ).

    Amaechi made the disclosure on the sidelines of the Future Awards Africa held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos last Saturday.

    He said that he would have done otherwise by staying in PDP and fight for the change, instead, there was a need to cross over to APC because of his belief in President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “I moved from PDP to APC because I am tired of what is happening in the party, I have the option to stay because of my position as the Chairman of the Governors then.

    “I can use my position to fight them (PDP) and get what I want because I believe Nigeria was not going in the right direction by then.

    “My attention and belief shifted to Buhari which was the viable alternative, I believe in the change mantra because it is the only way to improve on what is on ground.

    Read also: How APC can win 2019 elections – Amaechi

    “He has not disappointed because the economy is now back on track and is growing. This is evident in the current prices of food items because it’s getting lower,’’ he said.

    Amaechi said that prices of food would further crash because of the efforts of the government at making the country self-sufficient in food production.

    “With the change going on, the price will further crash because before this government came in, the price were soaring because we were importing food items, things we can grow here.

    “Now the policy of government which banned the importation of rice is working, the price is now about N16,000, but before now,  we are importing about N3 billion worth of rice.

    “Before now too, we were importing another N3 billion worth of poultry products, we are importing tomatoes but with the ban, we are now concentrating on our local production.

    “Many states in the northern part of the country are now growing rice in large quantities though by right, the South-South geo-political zone should be doing that because they are the ones in the swampy area,’’ he said.

    Amaechi said that the wastage in the PDP era was alarming, adding that the depletion of the excess crude account was supposed not have been.

    “When Obasanjo was leaving, he left about 65 billion dollars in the Excess Crude Account, but this money was frittered away and we wonder where the money is.

    “As at then, the price of crude oil during the president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration hovered around 140 dollars with this, they did not leave anything for the incoming government.

    “With that kind of money, we should be thinking of connecting Nigeria through rail system. The rail between Ibadan to Kano would have been completed.

    “Also the rail gauge between Port Harcourt to Maiduguri and Lagos to Calabar, but all the excess crude money was frittered away, we need to ask questions,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Youths not copying right leadership model – Amaechi

    Youths not copying right leadership model – Amaechi

    The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, says Nigeria youths are copying the wrong model of leadership, an act, he notes, may jeopardise their future.

    Amaechi made the assertion on the sidelines of the Future Awards Africa held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos last Saturday.

    He said the youth were not ready yet to embrace a corrupt-free society because they were wrongly orientated by those who were using them for their interest.

    “The problem with Nigerian youths is that they just want to take over from the elite but they are not ready to embrace change, they don’t want reform.

    “They say that the roles being played by the elite are not satisfactory, but they must be ready to upset the leaders of this country through their ingenuity.

    “For example, during our days of activism, we engage government over unfavourable policies and we get headlong even during the military administration.

    “Now, student union presidents want a vehicle and a driver to be driving him about to attend meetings; during our time, who dares have a car, we all struggle on the street, Amaechi said.

    He advised youths to rise up to the fight against corruption instead of a tacit support to those that they feel were their benefactor.

    “I will advise the youth to fight against corruption with all their energy instead of giving tacit support to those they think are their benefactors.

    “During our time in the student union struggles, we rose against impunity and organised protests; but what happens today, the government of the day announces the money siphoned but the youth keep quiet.

    “Such astronomic stolen amount government announced wouldn’t have happened during our time, all the street would have been filled with youths protesting and seeing that the culprits were punished.

    “Today, we have some of our youths dancing behind the corrupt politicians for a pot of meal that will not last long thereby mortgaging their future,’’ he said.

    Amaechi said that Nigerian youths should stand up to the reality of life by asking questions from leaders on how they managed the economy and the commonwealth of Nigeria.

    Read also: Amaechi: we should stop criticising Jonathan’s govt

    “Nigerian youths should start asking questions from leaders, including me about what we are doing with our resources. It’s time to reject those that put us in this.

    “We should all desist from pulling our country down through corruption. But unfortunately, the youth are not interested in that, all what they want is how to look good.

    “Maybe they looked at me wearing designer shoes, what they will notice is that designer and how they can get it. That is not supposed to be.

    “During my time as a student union leader, I had only two pairs of clothes. But now the value system is wrong and the youth are copying wrong leadership model,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Budget 2018: Financiers to execute rail projects

    Budget 2018: Financiers to execute rail projects

    Most critical rail projects listed for execution in the 2018 budget are to be funded by financiers, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said yesterday.

    Amaechi said the assistance of financiers for the execution of the capital projects became imperative due to low revenue generation by the Federal Government.

    “We sought and got Mr. President’s approval to source for financiers for various rail projects for development.

    “Negotiations are ongoing and we may need some contributions depending on the discussions,” he told the Senate committee on Land Transport in Abuja.

    Amaechi listed the projects under the proposed arrangement to include. Kano- Katsina – Jibiya to Maradi in Niger Republic, the new standard guage rail from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri passing through Enugu, Lafia , Makurdi ,Gombe with branches to Owerri, Onitsha, Akwa. Abakaliki, Yola , Jalingo and Damaturu .

    Others according to him are extension of Itakpe – Aladja (Warri) to Abuja and Warri Port.

    The minister who spoke at the 2018 budget defence, said that his ministry achieved 16.5 per cnt implementation of the 2017 budget.

    He noted that out of the N192.895billion appropriated for his ministry in 2017 for capital expenditure, only N31.932 billion was released to the ministry representing 16.5% of the appropriated sum.

    He added that even out of the released N31.932billion, only N20.862 billion have been spent so far.

    Amaechi also said that his ministry achieved 43.6% implementation of the N528.800million overhead vote, with N230.588million out of which N180.514m has been expended.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Olugbenga Ashafa (Lagos East), lamented that the 2017 budget performance for the ministry was too poor to be repeated in 2018.

    Ashafa directed the ministry to forward to the committee a clear cut plans for the execution of capital projects in 2018.

     

  • Financiers to execute rail projects – Amaechi

    Financiers to execute rail projects – Amaechi

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said on Monday that most critical rail projects listed for execution in the 2018 budget would be funded by financiers.

    The minister said the assistance of financiers for the execution of the capital projects became imperative due to low revenue accrued to the Federal Government.

    “We sought and got Mr. President’s approval to source for financiers for various rail projects for development.

    “Negotiations are ongoing and we may need some contributions depending on the discussions,” he told the Senate committee on Land Transport in Abuja.

    Amaechi listed the projects under the proposed arrangement to include – Kano- Katsina – Jibiya to Maradi in Niger Republic, the new standard guage rail from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri passing through Enugu, Lafia , Makurdi ,Gombe with branches to Owerri, Onitsha, Akwa. Abakaliki, Yola, Jalingo and Damaturu.

    Others, according to him are the extension of Itakpe – Aladja (Warri) – Abuja – Warri Port.

    The minister, who spoke at the 2018 budget defence, said his ministry achieved 16.5 per cent implementation of the 2017 budget.

    He noted that out of the N192.895billion appropriated for his ministry in 2017 for capital expenditure, only N31.932 billion, representing 16.5 per cent of the appropriated sum was released to the ministry.

     

  • Stop criticizing GEJ’s administration – Amaechi

    Stop criticizing GEJ’s administration – Amaechi

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has said he agrees with those who said the present administration should focus on achieving its campaign promises and stop criticizing former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    The minister disclosed this in Abuja when the report of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for the Finalization of the Draft National Transport Policy (NTP) was submitted to him.

    The I9-member Committee was drawn from all the transport sectors and agencies in the country.

    The Minister also said there was need to invest more in the technological aspect of transportation.

    He said: “I agree with those who said we should stop criticizing the last government and that we should do our own.

    “We need to leverage on what we know. People are shouting intermodal transport; I went to the new airport in Singapore and I didn’t find one person at the airport. As you walk in, technology takes over.

    “They also said in the next few years, they would introduce driverless cars. We should also think outside the box about how to improve our transport sector and think less about how sun and moon affects the sector or building more bus stops.

    “We should see how much investment we can put in the area of ICT. Intelligence transportation should not be ignored”.

    He added: “What we assure Nigerians is that under the Buhari administration; we would do everything possible to ensure that we maximize the resources that President by way of budget releases to each ministry”.

    On the implementation of the policy, he said: “I assure you that we would take the next step you want us to take.

    “Usually, people take experts contribution for granted but the fact is, experts know better and if we don’t come to you, who would we go to?

    “We will go through it and I will direct the Permanent Secretary to give a copy to the Minister of State for Aviation while I read a copy. Once we are through and we share our views, we will take it to cabinet for approval”.

    Also speaking, the chairperson of the Committee, Mfon Usoro explained that the adoption of the policy would make Nigerian economy stronger.

    She said: “Adoption and implementation of the NTP by all tiers of government will lead to a stronger Nigerian Economy and a profitable future for the entire transportation service sector and for the many sectors that rely on transportation in a diversified economy”.

  • Don’t phase out motor cycle, tricycle operations, FG tells States

    Don’t phase out motor cycle, tricycle operations, FG tells States

    The Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, on Thursday urged states and local governments in Nigeria to integrate motor circle and tricycle operations into their transportation system instead of planning to phase them out.

    Amaechi said motor cycle and tricycle operations have been playing vital roles in nation building and development as they are primary means of transportation in many – difficult – to – reach areas of the country.

    The Minister made this known in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the inauguration of the state Secretariat of the Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners Repairs and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN).

    Amaechi who was represented by the Deputy Director, Mass Transit Administration in the ministry, Foluke Oni, noted that it is plausible to allow Nigerians to “choose the means of transportation that suit them.”

    He, however, strongly recommended a continuous use of helmets, training and retraining of riders as well as an insurance cover for motor cyclists, try cyclists and users to guarantee safety on the roads.

    “There is need for states and local governments to integrate these tricycles and motor cycles operations into their mode of transportation and should begin to think more on how to enhance their operations rather than thinking of phasing them out

    “Tricycles and motor cycles are important in the area of provision of essential and easy to reach transportation all over the country.

    “Just like in the developed nation, we should ensure that the citizenry have the opportunity of choosing the form of transportation that best suit them.

    “There is need therefore for greater understanding of inevitable presence of tricycles and motor cycles operators for an improved and affordable transportation access for rural and some urban dwellers,” Amaechi said.

    Also, a federal lawmaker representing Yewa South and Ipokia Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Kunle Akinlade, called for the integration of motor cycle and tricycle operations into the nation’s transport system, saying many of them are employers of labour in the trade.

  • BREAKING: Amaechi, Wike’s fight get messier

    BREAKING: Amaechi, Wike’s fight get messier

    The fight between the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has got messier, with the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) supported with purpose-built office complex in Port Harcourt, when Amaechi was governor, suddenly given quit notice by officials of Wike’s local government council.

    The quit notice came from Obio/Akpor Local Government Council of Rivers state, where Wike, a former Minister of State for Education, hails from, through the council’s Legal Adviser, Victor Owhonda Wokem.

    Wike, who is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and most leaders of the PDP decided to declare war against the Commander of F-SARS in Rivers state, Akin Fakorede, a lawyer, for allegedly refusing to support the plans of the PDP during the December 10 last year’s legislative rerun.

    Fakorede, who hails from Ekiti State, in a telephone interview, however, declared that the security outfit would never vacate the facility given to it by Amaechi’s govt on August 23, 2012, asking officials of the local government council to desist from making false claims.

    While also speaking on the telephone on Friday, the Caretaker Chairman of Obio/Akpor local government council, Goodnews Ozioma Amadi, a member of PDP, who was recently appointed by Wike for three months, with the possibility of being reappointed for another three months, if she performs optimally, in her reaction, said: “It is a legal matter. It is being handled by the council’s Legal Adviser.”

    The Rivers state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), through its Publicity Secretary, Chief Chris Finebone, in Port Harcourt, said: “Of course, this is one of the clearest evidence of the war of attrition being waged by Wike and his government against the F-SARS in Rivers State. It is a development foretold by discerning minds.”

    Rivers APC also claimed that Wike was fighting F-SARS in the state and Fakorede, because of 2019 elections and the governor’s vice-presidential ambition in 2019, with the state’s commander of F-SARS having earlier allegedly refused to be bribed to support the massive rigging of the December 10 last year’s legislative rerun in Rivers.

    The quit notice from Obio/Akpor local government council, located in Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt, and the reply of F-SARS, both on their colourful letterheads, were obtained on Friday in Port Harcourt.

    The quit notice was dated October 18, 2017, signed by the local government council’s legal adviser, was addressed to the commander of F-SARS, Sir Celestine Omehia Road, Rukpokwu, Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State, and titled: “Notice to Vacate and Deliver up Possession of the Property/Premises You Occupy Inside the Obio/Akpor International Market, Rukpokwu Town, Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State.”

    Wokem (LG legal adviser) said: “I am directed by the Local Government Council to give you one month notice to vacate and deliver up possession of the premises/property of the Obio/Akpor International Market, which you presently occupy, as a licensee thereof, on or before 30th day of November 2017.

    “This directive is borne out of the council’s need to carry out major renovation works at the international market and to put the said property, which you occupy, into full use and purpose for which it was originally acquired and built.

    “Take further notice that in the event you fail, refuse or neglect to abide by this notice, the council shall have no option, but to use all available legal means to eject you therefrom and demand consequential damages. Please, be guided accordingly.”

    Copies of the Obio/Akpor local government’s quit notice were sent to Wike; the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris; and the Rivers Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed.

    The quit notice, which was received by F-SARS, Rivers state on October 19, 2017, was stamped and signed by one of the officials of the security outfit, without the name indicated.

    F-SARS, Rivers state, in its reply, dated October 19, 2017, and signed by its commander (Fakorede), a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), accused the officials of Obio/Akpor local government council of being economical with the truth.

    The F-SARS’ response had copies sent to Rivers Police Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Port Harcourt and the Officer in Charge (O/C) Legal, State CID, Port Harcourt.

    F-SARS said: “I refer to your letter dated October 18, 2017 on the above subject matter and wish to respectfully inform your good office that the Rivers State F-SARS is not in possession or occupation of any premises/property of Obio/Akpor Local Government.

    “For the purpose of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, the F-SARS is presently occupying a purpose-built police facility, constructed for the police and officially handed over to the F-SARS, Rivers State on August 23, 2012 by the Rivers State Government, under Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, then Governor of Rivers State.

    “You are kindly requested to advise your client to desist from making false claims. Please be advised.”

    Fakorede, in yesterday’s telephone interview, also stated that F-SARS purpose-built facility had standard police station, cells, offices and residential quarters for officers and men, among other facilities to enhance the smooth operations of the special security outfit, while declaring that there was no way F-SARS could quit the facility it had been occupying for over five years.

    Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, at a news conference in Government House, Port Harcourt, accused Fakorede of taking sides with the leaders of the APC, while calling for his transfer out of the state.

    Okah drew the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari, other Nigerians and the international community to the alleged atrocities committed in Rivers by F-SARS, under the command of Fakorede and the alleged deliberate refusal of the IGP, as well as the Police Service Commission (PSC) to reprimand or transfer the commander of F-SARS in the state.

    Information commissioner said: “Rivers State government is not after the person of Mr Akin Fakorede, but the odious methods he employs in doing his job and the consequences.”

    APC in Rivers, however, accused Wike and his allies of lying outright, in their declaration of war against the hardworking, focused and professional commander of F-SARS in the state.

    The main opposition APC in Rivers said: “The accusation by the Rivers State government is complete nonsense. If the police and particularly former Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, were the armed wing of the PDP to tackle the former Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, years back, it does not by any means follow that APC today needs such an aberration or unholy alliance. We are a party of change.

    “APC has no special relationship with SARS or any security agency in the colour being painted by Wike and the PDP in Rivers State. We are happy that the Rivers State government and PDP in Rivers State have come out to unveil the real reasons they are battling SARS and its Commander, Akin Fakorede. They have spelt it out that it is all about 2019.

    “APC as a political party sensed it all along. We will not be surprised if the police high command already knows why PDP and Wike are whining, huffing and puffing about SARS and Akin Fakorede. Now, it is crystal clear who is politicising security in Rivers State and why the best efforts of the security agencies appear not to be achieving the desired results.”

    It will be recalled that Amaechi, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), had been at loggerheads with Wike, his former Chief of Staff (2007-2011), who was the Director-General of Amaechi Re-election Campaign Organisation in 2011, before the then Rivers governor (Amaechi) recommended him (Wike) to the then President Goodluck Jonathan for ministerial appointment in 2011, over who would be Rivers governor in 2015.

    Amaechi, an indigene of Ubima in Ikwerre LGA, stated that to ensure equity, justice and fairness in the multi-ethnic state, it would not be proper for another Ikwerre person/Uplander to succeed him in 2015, while opting for a riverine successor, but Wike, also an Ikwerre from Rumueprikom in Obio/Akpor LGA of the state maintained that emphasis should be placed on competence and capability to win elections, not zoning.

    Amaechi stuck to zoning between the upland and riverine parts of the state, leading to the emergence of Dr. Dakuku Peterside, from coastal Opobo, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro LGA of the state as the standard bearer of the APC, but he was rigged out, while he got favourable judgment at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, with Wike emerging victorious at the Supreme Court.

  • Amaechi inaugurates transport committee

    Amaechi inaugurates transport committee

    The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, on Tuesday, inaugurated an 11-man Committee, Short Code *735# and social media App to curtail the menace of road transport related crimes.

    Amaechi, while inaugurating the committee in Abuja, said that the initiative would subsequently aid the creation of a long overdue database for the sector.

    The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Sabiu Zakari, said that the Road Crime Control System (RCCS) project was conceptualised as a social service delivery programme in 2010.

    He said that the programme, which was created by Messrs 2TOC Solution Limited, was forwarded to the ministry by the Nigeria Police having realised that it would thrive best in the ministry.

    “The company has secured a code from the Nigerian Communication Commission ( NCC ), which is *735# for passengers to derive the driver’s Electronic Number(EN) to ascertain the authenticity of the genuine transport unions and their membership.

    “Having realised the importance of the solution, the Minister moved further and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Messrs 2TOC Solution and sought the collaboration of the critical and relevant stakeholders for effective implementation of the RCCS project.

    “The decision to set up the committee was reached as a result of the advice sought from the Federal Ministry of Justice.

    “Membership of the committee was draw from the relevant stakeholders with the mandate to map out a strategy for effective flag-off of the project,” he said.

    The minister urged the committee members to ensure that they come up with strategic recommendations towards a successful flag-off of the project due to the immense benefits it will bring to bear in the sector.

    Also speaking, Mr Benson Olatunji, Chief Executive Officer of Messrs 2TOC Solution Limited , said that the RCCS was targeted at providing platform through which the public can prevent themselves from falling victim of kidnapping.

    Olatunji said that every motor park approved and documented by the Road Safety Corps would be coded for the public to verify designated motor parks from illegal motor park operators.

    He said that the transport code was a policy tool to verify transport union and prevent passengers from entering unregistered vehicles.

    NAN

  • Rail: More coaches to arrive soon – Amaechi 

    Rail: More coaches to arrive soon – Amaechi 

    The Federal Government on Thursday disclosed that it will bring in more coaches and locomotives to boost rail transportation across the country between now and December.

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi spoke with State House correspondences after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to him, President Buhari was very pleased with developments in the transport sector.

    He said “He is also very pleased with what we have done in terms of the narrow gauge, between now and December; we are bringing in more locomotives, coaches and wagons, to ensure efficiency in the narrow gauge. We are expecting 10 for Kaduna-Abuja axis and another seven, which will hopefully go to Itakpe-Warii because we believe that by June, that axis should also come alive,”

    He also said about $16 billion is required to actualize some of the plans government has for the sector, especially construction of two deep seaports in Bonny, Rivers State and Warri, Delta State.

    The Transport Minister further said there are plans to also dredge the Calabar seaport, through Public Private Partnership PPP.

    He stated that the problem of gridlock on the road leading to Apapa port in Lagos would be over by December.

    “In terms of the narrow gauge, if not for a hitch, we would have commenced trucking cargo form Apapa seaport to Ebute-Metta-Lagos and takeaway the challenges we are having with that Apapa grid and bad road. That will happen before December.” he added

    On why he was in the Villa, he said “Don’t forget that I am the Minister of Transportation, obviously there are issues around transport that I have to discus with the President. You are aware that we have gotten approval for the eastern flank of the Nigerian Railway modernisation which has to do with from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri cutting across Aba, Owerri, Enugu, Umuahia to Markurdi, to Abakiliki, and to Awka, Lafia down to Bauchi, Gombe, Yola and to Damaturu and ends at Borno.

    “And also the other railway from Kano to Maradi in Niger Republic I need to brief the President about how we are progressing with negotiations of loans and others and our possible financiers.

    “I also need to brief him about the current activities going on in the Lagos/Ibadan axis and what we intend to do to complete the Lagos/Kano railway. It is basically about my office.

    On when the government will commence work on the new approval for the eastern railway, he said “There are approvals but we have to look for the money, the money is just not there. It is not easy, it is a total of about $16 billon and you don’t pluck $16 billion from the sky.

    Whether it will be done through PPP arrangement, he said “That is the first line of action, we will try and see if we can work on PPP particularly as it patterns to the seaport. Don’t forget that two deep seaports have been approved; Bonny seaport and the Warri seaport. The Port Harcourt Railway Industrial Park will, we should also be able to implement that through PPP. l hope we can but l doubt if it will be easy to get railway as PPP because it is quite expensive.

    On the Calabar port dredging project, he said “NPA is on it. They have advertised not contractors; they prefer to do it in a PPP arrangement basically to see how we can dredge the Calabar port

    Asked the cost of the project, the Minister said “The total expenditure for that area may come to about $16 billion. Not all necessarily loan, the first step of action is PPP. It is after we finish with PPP that we can say the actual total figure of what the loan will look like.”

    Asked to speak on the President’s vision for the railway transportation, he said “That is why I was summoned. Don’t forget that the President sleeps and wakes up thinking about railway and if his BP will not rise, I must see him and tell him how far we have progressed. Once he hears that progress is being made he feels a bit happy.

    “He is also pleased with what we have done in terms of the narrow gauge. Between now and December we should ensure efficiency in the narrow gauge. We are bringing in more locomotives, we are bringing in more coaches and wagons.

    “In terms of the narrow gauge, if not for a hitch, we would have commenced trucking cargo from Apapa seaport to Ebute Meta and take away the challenges we are having with that Apapa bridge and the bad road, that will happen before December.

    On how many locomotives are being expected, he said “We are expecting ten for Kaduna/Abuja, another seven will also come and that seven we hopefully think it will go to Itakpe/Warri because we believe by next year June, Itakpe-Warri should be ready.”

  • Jonathan ceded Rivers oil well to Bayelsa to punish Amaechi – APC

    Jonathan ceded Rivers oil well to Bayelsa to punish Amaechi – APC

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked Governor Nyesom Wike to publicly apologise to the people of the state and his immediate predecessor/benefactor, Rotimi Amaechi, over the ceding of Soku Oil Wells belonging to Rivers to neighbouring Bayelsa State.

    The oil wells in Kalabari axis of Rivers were controversially ceded during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, an indigene of Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, to punish the then governor (Amaechi), the Director-General of Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation, for declining to support the re-election of his Niger Delta kinsman (Jonathan).

    Rivers APC, through its Chairman, Chief Davies Ikanya, yesterday in Port Harcourt, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Public Affairs, Chief EzeChukwuemeka Eze, described as shocking, Wike’s acceptance that the disputed Soku oil wells, which it insisted he (Rivers governor) and Jonathan connived to cede to Bayelsa, belonged to Rivers.

    Wike, who was Jonathan’s Minister of State for Education, on Tuesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, while hosting members of the Forum of Surveyors-General of States, urged the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Mr. Ebisintei Awudu, to resolve the lingering boundary dispute between Rivers and Bayelsa states, stressing that he was in the best position to address the boundary conflict.

    The Rivers governor said: “We believe that the oil wells belong to us (Rivers State people). We are brothers and there is no need for this conflict to linger. Imagine if it was between two states with no relationship, it would have been worse.”

    Rivers state was created on May 27, 1967, while Bayelsa state was created out of the old Rivers state on October 1, 1996.

    Rivers APC said: “September 19, 2017 will ever remain memorable in the politics of Rivers State. This was the day that one of the hidden truths was brought to the open. By his confession, Wike has vindicated our position that he collaborated with the then President Jonathan to fight Rt.  Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to a standstill and to dislodge APC that clearly won the 2015 general elections, from the Brick House, Port Harcourt.

    “One of the ways in which they achieved the infamous feats was to cede Rivers State oil wells to Jonathan’s Bayelsa State, in a bid to economically emasculate Rivers State and starve Amaechi’s government of funds.”

    The main opposition APC also stated that the Rivers governor’s latest stand on the controversial oil well issue was a reflection of a misguided leader, who likes to play politics with every issue, so far it would benefit him, not minding if such a stand was against the progress of Rivers state and its people.

    It said: “It is on record that Wike used the oil well issue about three years ago to dehumanise and abuse his benefactor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and called him many uncouth names, for pleading and stating that it was wicked of Dr. Jonathan to cede Rivers State’s oil wells to neighbouring Abia and Bayelsa States, just to prove his hatred for the people of Rivers State, after giving him one of their daughters (Dame Patience Jonathan) for a wife and ensured that he was properly educated at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

    “In view of Amaechi’s stand, Wike, as the then Supervising Minister of Education, threatened the then Rivers governor (Amaechi) with everything within him, including brimstone and arrest immediately after Dr. Jonathan would be declared as president for a second term in 2015, but God proved him wrong.

    “Wike, while exhibiting poor understanding of the plight of Rivers people, appreciated Dr. Jonathan for the heinous and evil act by giving him an award during the recent celebration of 50th anniversary of the creation of Rivers State.

    “If Wike is serious about demanding the receding of the oil wells to Rivers State, let him start by withdrawing the unmerited award given to Dr. Jonathan, after which he should formally apologise to God, Amaechi and the people of Rivers State for criminally emasculating them economically by the evil act against Rivers State and humanity, for us to take him seriously.”

    The main opposition party also reminded the Rivers governor that as minister of state for education, he sent members of his political group, the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), to harass and disperse the leaders and traditional rulers of kalabari Kingdom, under the aegis of Kalabari National Forum, during their protest march to submit their letter to the Director-General, National Boundary Commission, Abuja.

    APC urged the surveyor-general of the federation to assist and restore the Soku oil wells to Rivers state, not minding the fact that Wike was one of the architects and brains behind the ceding of the Rivers oil wells to neighbouring states.