Oil Wells: Amaechi Blasts FG Over N4.6bn Refund To A’Ibom

Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi has carpeted the Federal Government for the recent demand on the state to refund neighbouring Akwa Ibom State N4.6biliion over ceded oil wells.
He made the disclosure after unveiling the new African Church Cathedral and 90th anniversary at Aggrey Road in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
He disclosed that the state received a letter last week ordering it to refund Akwa Ibom State the amount following the ceding of oil wells to the neighbouring state.
“Just last week, they wrote to us that we should refund Akwa Ibom N4.6billion that they have taken our oil well and given to Akwa Ibom,” Amaechi said.
Amaechi, therefore, called on the people of the state to ensure they vote out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ensure that Soku and other oil wells ceded to neighbouring states were gotten back.
“I can tell you why you should go and register for APC. The current PDP government will not help us get Soku oil wells. In the year 2007, Rivers State used to receive N20billion to N25billion but now we are receiving N13billion because they have taken our oil wells to Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Abia states. So, if we allow them, they will take more and we will not have money to develop Rivers State,” the governor warned.
Commenting on the church’s new cathedral building and 90th anniversary, Governor Amaechi praised the church members for their dedication and commitment, and prayed God to reward them for building a temple.
He also asked for prayers from the church to protect him from his enemies and those seeking to hurt him.
The Rivers State chief executive promised to rebuild the church’s primary school, and equip it a modern library and computer laboratory.
Earlier in his sermon, Bishop of Rivers Diocese of the church, Rt Rev. Matilukuro praised the governor for the developmental strides in the state, adding that “if no one commends you, God has seen what you are doing and you have touched lives”.
The African Church bishop urged the governor not to relent, as he prayed God to give him the spirit of excellence to surpass the goals he has set.
In her address, Chairperson of the Anniversary Committee, Lady Chioma Wokocha said the ceremony marks the church’s 90th anniversary and expansion of the cathedral building.
She paid tributes to the founding fathers and members of the church for making the project a reality, but however called on the government to assist in the rebuilding of the Holy Trinity Primary School.
Meanwhile, Governor Amaechi says his recent criticism of the Federal Government has begun to yield fruits, pointing out that East West Road and the Port Harcourt International Airport remodelling are being currently worked on following his comments.
In another related development, Governor Amaechi has given hope that the International Conference Centre on G.U.Ake Road would be ready in 13 days, to be used for the World Book Capital celebrations slated later this month.
He also gave hope of the quick completion of the new stadium at the Greater Port Harcourt City, hinting that the spectator seats, scoreboards and floodlights are the major facilities left.
If not because of security reports, he hinted that the stadium would have been unveiled with a match by one of the top clubs in the English premiership, but reiterated that he would address the members of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state at the new stadium.

L-R: The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Supervising Minister of National Planning, Amb. Bashir Yuguda and Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr Yemi Kale, at the news conference on Re-basing of Nigeria’s GDP in Abuja, yesterday