Corruption: FG Shielding Amaechi From Prosecution, Wike Alleges

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has accused the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government of shielding the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, from prosecution over alleged misappropriation of proceeds from the sales of some of the state’s assets.
Stating this, last Wednesday, during the commissioning of 6.1km long, 7.3m wide Omuihuechi-Omuoko-Omokiri link road in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Wike said it was disingenuous for the Federal Government to flag off narrow gauge rail line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri at a time when the rest of the world was building standard gauge rail lines.
“I heard people came to Rivers State to flag off narrow gauge (rail) when the world is talking of standard gauge. What they are giving Rivers State is narrow gauge because I challenged them to show us what they have done for the people of the state.
“So, what they will do is to come and say okay, since you are complaining, let us come and give you that narrow gauge.
“Instead of giving us the standard gauge to Maiduguri over which they are making noise, Rivers State, the Treasure Base of the Nation, the state from which they got the money to produce their President, it’s towards the end of their administration that they come and tell us of narrow gauge rail line”, he said.
The governor also stated the unlikelihood of the Federal Government accomplishing the rail project in 33 months as promised, noting that unlike the Federal Government, he would complete all projects he started before leaving office.
“You want to finish the narrow gauge in 33 months. will he (Amaechi) be in power then? I am going to finish every project I have awarded”, Wike said.
The State’s Chief Executive further noted that it was appalling that the Federal Government has continued to shield the minister from prosecution for his inability to account for $308million from the sales of the state-owned power plants and other critical assets when he was the governor of Rivers State.
According to him, “it is because the Federal Government is protecting the minister that he has consistently made efforts to undermine the state government by influencing who is posted as commissioner of police and General Officer Commanding (GCO) of the Nigerian Army to Rivers State.
“People gave you opportunity. You sold our properties, everything. And people are talking in this state because of the government that says they are fighting corruption and protecting people. You (Amaechi) sold our property for $308million, and kept for us $208,000. That is the kind of people parading themselves in government, for a government that says they are fighting corruption, shame”, he declared.
Wike, therefore, urged the people of the state not to be deceived by the antics of the APC following the flag-off of the narrow gauge rail line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, saying that the project flag-off was politically motivated.
On his part, the state Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, said the Omuihuechi-Omuoko-Omokiri road before the administration of Governor Wike, was a well-established nightmare for residents and road users.
He explained that the reconstructed road, which is 6.1km long, and 7.3m wide, was complete with drains on both sides, measuring 12.2km.
“This road is of immense benefit to the three communities it is named after: It is also of benefit to residents and people of Choba community, it is of benefit to the students and staff of the University of Port Harcourt, it is of benefit to land and home owners in this area, It is of benefit to real estate developers within and around Aluu”, he added.