Wike Berates FG For Halting Prince Charles’ Visit To S’South …Says Action Underscores Negativity In Governance …As RSHA Lauds RSG Over Budget Implementation

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has berated the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government for preventing Prince Charles of Wales from visiting the neglected Niger Delta that produces the nation’s wealth.
Speaking when he granted audience to international preacher, Evangelist Daniel Kolenda at Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike wondered what parameters were used in confining the Prince of Wales to Abuja and Lagos.
He said the actions of the APC-led Federal Government in the course of the visit of Prince of Wales underscored the negativity that has characterised governance under the present administration.
Wike said: “The Prince of Wales came to Nigeria, and they took him to Abuja and Lagos. They didn’t want him to see the suffering people of the Niger Delta.
“It is our money and resources that they used to develop Lagos and Abuja. Yet, they did not want the Prince of Wales to see how they have neglected the area that produces the wealth of the nation.
“Look at the sitting arrangement of their photograph with the Prince of Wales, and where they placed the producers of the national wealth”.
He said that the action of the APC-led Federal Government was very painful.
Wike commended the leaders of CFAN for coming to Rivers State, despite the plots by the APC-led Federal Government to de-market oil producing states.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Public Finance and Accounts has commended the state government for effective budget implementation and prudent management of resources.
The commendation came, yesterday, after the committee met with the state Accountant General, state Auditor General and the Local Government Auditor General during the ongoing oversight and budget monitoring sitting, held at the Assembly Complex in Port Harcourt.
Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and member representing Ahoada-East 11 Constituency, Hon. Edison Ehie said they were satisfied with presentations made so far by the three key finance management officers.
Ehie said, ‘We must commend the Rivers State Government for the prudent management of scarce resources, where every item was given very clear evidence of constitutional expenditure. We are pleased with what we saw”.
The lawmaker averred that so far the government led by Chief Nyesom Wike has shown that it was poised to transform the state.
Explaining why the committee convened the sitting which began, last Monday, with the appearance of the State Universal Basic Education Board (UBE) and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Ehie submitted that it was part of the house oversight functions on Ministries, Departments and Parastatals on income and expenditure as approved in the budget.
“We are aware that Rivers State Government has made budget releases in line with budget provisions, so, we invited them to give us overview, especially as it affects budget implementation,” he stated.
The lawmaker further explained that at the end of the exercise, the committee would review the representations and submit its reports to the Assembly for adoption.
So far, he opined that the exercise has been successful with over eight agencies and boards appearing.
The Rivers State Civil Commission appeared, last Wednesday.
He hinted that the exercise would likely continue next week to cover remaining MDAs yet to appear before it.