By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA: Federal Capital Territory FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, has pressed a former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, to account for the $308 million proceeds from the sale of the state’s power plants during his administration.
Wike spoke on Sunday at a town hall meeting with leaders, elders and stakeholders of the Ogbakor Etche in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“Amaechi sold the gas turbine power stations for $308 million. Where is the money? What did Rivers people get from it? So, where is the money? Rivers people are asking: what happened to the $308 million?”, he asked.
The minister accused his predecessor of failing to turn his eight years as governor, from 2007 to 2015, and eight years as Minister of Transportation into development and opportunities for Rivers people.
“When you had the opportunity to be governor of Rivers State, what did you bring to our people? From Igwuruta to Chokochoko, it was a problem. From Chokochoko to Omoku, it was a problem.
“You became Minister of Transportation for eight years. Which person from our area did you bring to the limelight? Mention just one!”, he challenged Amaechi.
Wike urged the people of Etche to reject politicians whose main concern, he said, was political survival rather than the development of their communities. He said support should be based on tangible achievements and opportunities delivered to the people.
He cited what he described as concrete gains for the area, among them the appointment of Professor Dimiri Mercury as Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University and the establishment of the university’s Faculty of Agriculture campus there. He also listed the political appointments of Senator Allwell Onyesoh and House of Representatives member Kelechi Wogu as benefits of political engagement and alliances.
He said; “Politics is not about what one person will gain. Politics is about what your people will gain. Ask yourself; what has this person brought to our people? What has he done to improve the lives of our people? What opportunities have been created? We must begin to ask these questions because politics without development is meaningless.”
Wike told the gathering that the people of the region must “wise up” politically and decide on the basis of what would advance their communities. He said allegiance should no longer be built around individuals but around programmes, development and opportunities.
Earlier, Wike and other political stakeholders paid a condolence visit to the palace of the late Etche/Ochie of Etche land, Emmanuel Opurum, a member of the Rivers State council of traditional rulers who died at the age of 106. The minister pledged to support the family in the burial arrangements.
He also praised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying its emphasis on due process, accountability and development offered a new direction for governance. He urged the people to align with the President’s development-oriented agenda rather than back politicians out of personal loyalty.
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, we are witnessing a system that respects the rule of law and demands absolute transparency from public office holders, Governance is about lifting the people, not about personal aggrandisement or evading lawful inquiries into state properties. When people loot or mismanage the commonwealth, the law must take its course”, Wike said.
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