…as Wike confirms receiving FG’s 78bn refund
A former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Peter Obi, has accused the Federal Government of mortgaging the future of Nigerians with excess borrowings.
Obi, who was the 2019 Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, spoke while inaugurating the Isiokpo Internal Roads Phase 2 in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State, executed by Governor Nyesom Wike.
Obi challenged the Federal Government to show the capital projects that such borrowed money had been expended on so that everybody would know them.
Obi said access roads provided by Wike to the Isiopko people would increase the quality of life they live, enhance property value and reduce poverty.
He said, “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”.
In his remarks, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, confirmed receiving refund of the N78bn the state spent on federal roads from the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.
The governor said the refunded money would be deployed in providing more critical projects across the state to enhance the socio-economic life of Rivers people.
He said despite being in his second term, he would continue to work relentlessly, for the interest of the state, and improve its stakes.
He said, “Rivers people, the Federal Government has refunded us the money. I have not touched a dime yet and it is in the bank. I will use it for project 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’m 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.”
The governor said with his level of performance in office, it would be difficult for any other party to take Rivers State away from the PDP.
Wike insisted that he had conducted the affairs of governance without discrimination, saying his administration run an inclusive policy in project distribution.
The governor said he 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.
He said, “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.”
Wike recalled that he promised to change the narrative of neglect of Isiokpo people by the previous administration and had kept his promise by completing rehabilitation of all their internal roads.
To further open up the place, 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 and the money to execute the work is already set aside.
The governor also said only local government council chairmen, who had so far demonstrated competence in office and have evidence of projects, would qualify for re-election.
He said, “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’ll make Isiopko 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”.