Amaechi Defends $200m Water Loan …Says, It’ll Benefit Rivers People In Future

Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi has condemned critics of the $200million World Bank loan for water, and assured that the facility is for the benefit of the citizenry.
He gave the assurance at the 80th birthday thanksgiving service of Major G. A. E. Reider-Jack (rtd) at Christ Church yesterday in Port Harcourt.
Amaechi hinted that going by the late receipt of the loan, it may likely be the next administration that will execute the water scheme.
Said he, “ …Many people were shouting ‘don’t take the loans’,  the train they are building in Lagos is $500million from World Bank and we are only borrowing $200million to give Port Harcourt water which will not even be done by my government. What I am doing is trying to get the money out.”
The loan, according to the governor, will be paid back in 40 years  and will not be a strain to the next administration considering the repayment scheme.
“ The loan goes for 2.4 per cent for 40 years. So, even though  we are paying t$2 per day for 40 years,  we would have finished paying the loan and that will give Port Harcourt water and reduce death from water-borne disease,” he said.
He disclosed that the state was already providing free education and health for its citizens, including power which the Federal Government is benefitting more from.
Amaechi congratulated Mrs Reider on her birthday, while praising her for looking younger than her age, and wished her good health even as she gets older.
Meanwhile, Governor Amaechi has congratulated Mr Francis Abe Kinen and his bride Veronica Baadom on their wedding at St Bernard Catholic Church, Biara in Gokana Local Government Area.
He counselled Mr Kinen to always give listening ears to his wife since that will lead to success of their marriage.
He used the service to commend the people of Biara Community for praying and supporting his administration, and prayed God to bless them.
Meanwhile,  Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi has called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen Kenneth Minimah to leave a lasting legacy in the Nigerian Army.
Amaechi, who played host to the COAS who was on tour of military formations in Rivers State on Friday in Port Harcourt, observed that  the army chief has the opportunity to write his name in gold by steering the army in the right direction.
He observed that the Rivers State born army  chief was holding the post at a time the country was faced with numerous security challenges ranging from terrorism ; kidnapping and other  complex political issues.
Amaechi expressed hope in the ability of the COAS to weather the storm and steer the army to victory saying, “I think you are carrying the Nigeria Army at a time they need a direction, they need funding, they need support and they need development. If you achieve these, nobody will write your history. History will write it for yourself”.
One way to achieve these, according to Amaechi, is to ensure that the army is well equipped, trained and  not politicized, adding that, “I heard you talk about improving army, civilian relationships and I hope you give this attention because I belong to a political party which is complaining hugely against the military the way they have performed in the elections…But we believe that the military needs to play less and less role in politics”.
The Rivers State governor further counselled the army chief to be seen as a person who ensured that the army is not dragged into politics as the transition period gets closer, noting that when that is achieved, “I will go publicly and say that man is from Rivers State.”
He also urged the army chief to use his good office as a Rivers son to improve security in the state, expressing worry that the spate of kidnappings and other vices are rising following activities of politicians, while assuring that the state government is ready to assist the army in any way.
While commending the army for its assistance in fighting militancy, Amaechi also called on Lt Gen Minimah to ensure that all efforts were made to protect the economy of Rivers State, warning that if the level of kidnapping continues, then the state economy will be endangered.
Amaechi congratulated Gen Minimah for his appointment as the first Rivers person to assume such sensitive position, hinting that the state is ready to host him at any spare time that will be available, saying  his appointment did not come as a surprise considering his record as a worthy soldier.
Earlier, Gen Minimah had intimated the governor that he is in the state as part of his nationwide tour of army formations in the country.
He described his visit as home coming of some sorts, while lauding Governor Amaechi for his developmental strides in the state.
In the words of Minimah, “some the projects are landmark, some are high-tech and I want to commend the state governor for all his initiatives and identify with him in the development of Rivers State.”
He used the visit to also commend the Rivers State Government for all its assistance to the army, especially in the area of infrastructure, but however implored the state government not to relent in assisting the force to achieve its objective.

Officers of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) recovering jerry cans used in siphoning petrol from pipe lines at Oke Isawo in Ikorodu, Lagos State, last Friday