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How Amaechi Embezzled Proceeds From Sales Of Rivers Aircraft, Power Projects -Wike
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has accused the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, of embezzlement of proceeds from the sales of the state aircraft and power stations.
He has, meanwhile, offered to resign from office, if Amaechi can mention any federal project he has attracted to Rivers State as a minister since 2015.
Wike stated these at the formal defection of two former chairmen of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Davies Ikanya, and Hon. Igo Aguma, as well as other chieftains of the opposition to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt, last Saturday.
The governor explained that Amaechi, who was his predecessor, had claimed that he sold a Dash 8 aircraft purchased by former Governor, Dr. Peter Odili administration to Government of Cross River at the cost of $6million, but has failed to account for the proceeds of the transaction till date.
Similarly, the governor disclosed that through intelligence, the state government was able to trace a second aircraft belonging to the state government that was also purchased by the Odili-led administration to Germany, where Amaechi had clandestinely diverted it to in 2012.
Wike said Amaechi’s reign in office as governor was characterised by financial malfeasance.
To buttress this, the governor maintained that the $308million paid by Sahara Energy to acquire the state independent power projects was diverted by the minister.
In addition, he said that Amaechi had spent $39.9million of state funds on non-existent, Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Hospital in Port Harcourt.
The governor, who cited several projects he attracted to Rivers State while he was minister of state for education under the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, challenged Amaechi to emulate him by reviving the moribund Port Harcourt seaports in order to create employment opportunities for Rivers’ youths.
Wike explained that but for his intervention, the former commissioner for urban and rural planning, Dr. Reason Onya, who recently defected to the APC, would have been charged for murder following his indictment by a judicial panel of inquiry that investigated a multi-storey building that collapsed in Port Harcourt, and claimed several lives in 2018.
In his remarks, the state PDP Chairman, Amb Desmond Akawor, said that the defection of Dr. Davies Ikanya, Hon Igo Aguma, and others marked the formal interment of the opposition party in Rivers State.
Narrating his reason for leaving the APC, which he founded in Rivers State, Dr. Davies Ikanya, explained that he could not, with good conscience, remain in a political party that was built on deception.
According to him, all the expectation that the APC would provide security, create employment opportunities and better life for Nigerians have turned out to be a mere mirage.
Ikanya, who remains the only elected chairman of the APC in Rivers State, said it was regrettable that the party has been hijacked by persons who place their personal interests far above the party.
He used the occasion to apologise to the governor and the people of Rivers State for introducing the APC to the state, which has been peacefully governed by the PDP since 1999.
On his part, the immediate past caretaker committee chairman of APC, Hon. Igo Aguma, accused Amaechi of brainwashing him and others to join the APC.
He called on the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to immediately investigate the finances of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2016 and 2019.
Aguma called for the prosecution of Amaechi for the mismanagement of over $317million allegedly spent on 1.5-kilometre now abandoned monorail.
APC chieftains who defected to PDP, along with the duo include Chief Ogbogbo Nnamdi; Hon. Isobo Jack (former caretaker chairman, APC); Barrister Paul Nwankwoala (former APC legal adviser); Hon. Faaye Franklin; Chief Andy Nweye (pioneer spokesperson of APC); Hon. Alamese Martins-Yellow; Hon. Ilamabo Mirila; Dr. Moore Oja-Chinda; Hon. Benibo Anabraba (former minority leader, Rivers State House of Assembly); Hon. Alphine Whyte; and Hon. Wisdom Wakama (former minority leader, Rivers State House of Assembly).
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.
