The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says the Federal Government has refunded to the state government the N78billion it spent on federal projects.
Wike stated this during the inauguration of the Isiopko Internal Roads Phase 2 in Ikwerre Local Government Area, performed by the 2019 Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi, last Wednesday.
The governor said the refunded money would be deployed in providing more critical projects across the state to further drive the efforts at enhancing the socio-economic lives of Rivers people.
According to him, even if it were his second tenure, he would continue to work relentlessly, for the interest of the state, and improve its stakes until it becomes what it should be.
“Rivers people, the Federal Government has refunded us the money. I have not touched a dim yet, and it is in the bank. I will use it for more projects’ execution.
“I kept it to tell those who are making noise to know that I am going to work till the last day in office. I will continue to work for the interest of our people. I am not resting.
“They need to know that I will make sure what is supposed to be done for the people of Rivers State is done. I will persist until we have improved and changed Rivers State, and bring it back to what it’s supposed to be,” he said.
The governor noted that with his level of performance in office, it would be difficult for any other party to take Rivers State away from the PDP because the people know that such party can offer nothing to them.
Wike said he has conducted affairs of governance without discrimination, or being vindictive.
According to him, this has been demonstrated by his inclusive policy in projects’ distribution.
The governor stated that he has laid a good foundation of leadership by completing all the projects that he inherited from his predecessor, and would complete all the projects that he initiated so that his successor would have a smooth sail in governance to initiate his projects and pursue them to logical conclusion.
“No matter the tactics they deplore, no party can take Rivers State away from PDP. They have to convince the people why they need the support of Rivers people. It is already known, they have nothing to offer.
“We have something to offer and we have offered it to the people. They are angry that we are commissioning projects. Our business as a party is to make the other people to have serious high blood pressure.
“Anywhere they are now, they are crying that we are in every local government inaugurating projects. We are not vindictive. We are a government that carries everybody along,” he stated.
Speaking further, Wike said he promised to change the narrative of neglect of Isiopko people by the previous administration, and has completed the rehabilitation of all their internal roads.
To further open up the town, the governor announced the award of contract for the reconstruction of the link road from Ogbodo to Isiodu.
Wike also announced that his administration would rehabilitate all internal roads in Omerelu community, adding that the money to execute the work was already set aside.
The governor also stated that only local government council chairmen who have demonstrated competence in office and have evidence of projects they have provided would qualify for re-election.
“Government is about what you can bring to your people. It is not what you will put in your pocket. People of Ikwerre Local Government and Isiopko, ask your people what they have brought back home for the good of the town.
“Some people came and said they will make Isiokpo Azumba, I told them you can’t make it so. Today, you have all the roads within Isiopko community rehabilitated. All their plans have failed, and I am telling you now, from Ogbodo Town, I will link you to Isiodu Town in Emohua Local Government.
“I am moving now to Omerelu community. I will do all the internal roads in that community. I have the money already set aside, and I will complete it. I am also not owing any contractor handling any of our projects,” he emphasised.
In his remarks, the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, who inaugurated the road project, lamented that the Federal Government keeps borrowing in the guise of using it for capital projects to mortgage the future of posterity.
He challenged them to show the capital projects that such borrowed money has been expended on so that everybody would know such projects.
Obi said access roads as provided by Wike to the Isiokpo people would increase the quality of life they live, enhance property value and reduce poverty.
“Accountability in government is the most critical yardstick to determine good governance and to build the trust of the people. For recruitment into governance, competence, capacity, and visible performance like we are seeing here today should be embraced.
“The reason why Nigeria is not working today is that people have been recruited based on sentiment, and that has to stop because the country is collapsing.
“Every day you hear Nigeria is borrowing money, and when you ask, they say it is being used for capital projects. Please, we want to commission those capital projects. Let them invite us to accompany them for the commissioning. So, that when our children ask us about the borrowed money, we can point to the projects to answer them,” he said.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Hon. Elloka Tasie-Amadi said the road project started off as a 22.5kilometre project but the governor approved that it should be expanded to become a total length of 26.9kilometre with 26kilometre drains.
“Having previously commissioned Isiokpo internal roads phase 1, today, we are commissioning phase 2 of the projects.
“The phase 2 of the projects accounts for 17.7km of the road network. All of which are 7.3metres wide with 9.78kilometre drains,” he said.