Amaechi Lambasts Politicians Over Resources Wastage

Last week began in Government House with the inauguration by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of an eight-man judicial panel headed by Justice Biobele Georgewill to investigate the remote and real causes of the crisis that rocked the state between 9th and 10th of July, 2013.
The Committee has nine terms of reference, which include to investigate and ascertain the remote and immediate causes of the crisis at the Rivers State House of Assembly, investigate and ascertain the number of persons injured or threatened with injury.
Later on, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Wogu Boms defended government’s action stating that , “as government and acting existing laws, we asked the judiciary to look into it based on the prison Judicial Commission on Inquiry …. As contained in Cap 30 laws of Rivers State.” He was represented by the State Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru.
On Tuesday, four Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors from the North paid a solidarity visit to Amaechi led by Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Babangida Aliyu, the governors defied Anti-Amaechi protesters at the Airport to visit the State.
After a closed door meeting with Amaechi, the governors who include, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa issued a statement in which they accused the Nigeria Police of taking side in the political crisis in Rivers State.
The statement added, “we join well meaning Nigerians to call on all political actors to diffuse tension and stop all actions capable of overheating the polity and derailing our nascent democracy. We must all work together to build one united and indivisible nation and – strengthen our democracy”.
On Wednesday, Governor Amaechi declared open a two-day Wealth Creation and Poverty reduction summit jointly organized by New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) and the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Amaechi lambasted politicians for wasting resources pointing out that “some of our politicians don’t even have any development agenda”.
“How many of us know that unskilled labour has the greatest percentage of criminals in our society,” he queried.
Earlier, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Mr. George Feyii in his welcome address said some could be traced to poverty, stating that, the state government has development programme that deals with how to empower the people and make them self-reliant, urging Rivers people to take advantage of the opportunity.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the governor on NEPAD, Dr. Tex Wariboko assured the people of the State and participants that the two-day event would, evolve workable strategies and framework that would give birth to a coherent poverty reduction policy.
On Thursday, Governor Amaechi played host to the former President of Costa Rica, Jose Figures, who was the key-note Speaker at the two-day Wealth Creation and Poverty Reduction Summit held in Government House. In his address, the former Costa Rican President called for a new economic model that will encourage creativity and innovation among the youths.
Figures and Amaechi identified innovation as the sure part to poverty eradication and job creation, considering Nigeria’s abundant natural resources. However, Amaechi left the Summit midway to receive eight governors from Ekiti, Osun, Ogun Zamfara, Imo, Oyo, Lagos and Nassarawa States who paid a solidarity visit to him.
Led by Ekiti governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the governors, after a closed door meeting, addressed the press during which they condemned the Police, and urged all parties to sheath their swords.
Fayemi further called on Amaechi to officially meet with and brief the President on the State of Security in Rivers State, reasoning that a President has the moral authority to look into the crisis as Chief Security Officer of the country.
On Friday, Governor Amaechi played host to the Director-General of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Asishana Okauru and other officials of the forms Secretariat, who went on a project tour before leaving state.