‘RSG Didn’t Borrow N500bn’

The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, has debunked claims in some quarters that the state government has borrowed over N500billion to fund its projects.

Mrs Semenitari made the clarification in a media interactive forum organised by the Silverbird Communication, Port Harcourt, at the weekend.

She explained that the state government had not been able to access the bond market due to the strenuous process, and wondered how the N120billion has suddenly risen to N500billion as peddled in some quarters.

She said, “its is incorrect and mischievous. As a state government, we make public our account on regular basis. Every time we tell Rivers people this is exactly where we are with your account”.

The information commissioner also said contrary to views, the state government implemented over 70 per cent of last year’s budget, with a large chunk going to execution of capital projects.

‘I don’t know where they pluck these figures from… we find it worrisome that people out of mischief, paint a worrying picture of the situation”, Semenitari further asserted.

Responding to questions over the slow pace of work at the Rumuolumeni Road, Mrs Ibim disclosed that the situation was as a result of compensation to owners of structures along the road.

In order to avert controversies, she stated that the state government had begun payments of compensation ahead construction works, assuring that the authorities were poised to ensure adequate settlement of owners of buildings along the road.

Meanwhile, the state commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim says the state government will access $2million from the World Bank to fund its water project.

She explained that though the fund had been approved, the first trench of N100million would be accessed before the second quarter of the year.

The fund, she stated would help government provide water within and outside the metropolis for the citizens while urging the people to be patient as government was ready to address the problem of safe, potable water.