ALGON, Others Debunk N35m Monthly Deduction For ESI

Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria and Caretaker Chairman of Port Harcourt, Barrister Nnamdi Wuche says the claim by the former Minister of State for Education Barr. Nyesom Wike that Dame Judith Amaechi collected N35 million for ESI projects from council Chairmen is false.
Barrister Wuche in a chat with newsmen on Wednesday in Port Harcourt described the allegation as untrue.
The Port Harcourt City Council Caretaker Chairman said the accuser should be specific in his claims, if it must be taken seriously.
Also speaking, the former Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area Hon. Paul Awoyesuku stated that the accusation is unfounded saying, as a council chairman at the time the ESI projects commenced, no such deductions were made from him.
“Such amount will be about N800 million every month from the 23 local government areas and about N9.6 billion every year. So for seven years, she must have gotten about N67 billion. It’s ridiculous, that amount is the annual budget of some states for four years. Where did that kind of money go?”
Same view were expressed by former Eleme Local Government Area Chairman, Hon. Orji Ngofa who said former Obio/Akpor Council boss, Timothy Nsirim was making wild allegations.
Meanwhile, a Youth Leader from Rumuokwuta, Chima Dike has called on politicians to stop smearing the good name of Dame Amaechi , stressing that the governor’s wife’s pet project ESI Kindergaten schools have touched the lives of poor people in the rural areas.

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi (right), conferring with his Imo State counterpart, Governor Rochas Okorocha, during the APC Rivers Mega Rally at Igwuruta -Ali, Greater Port Harcourt City, last Saturday