A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has accused the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike of frustrating genuine development efforts in Rivers State.
He claimed that the minister was sabotaging efforts to transform Rivers State into an ambitious economic hub for the rest of Africa.
The APC chieftain made the claim via a statement.
He lamented that Rivers State is busy dealing with unnecessary superiority brawl instigated by the FCT Minister, who is relying on support from the Presidency while other states are striving to implement measures to meet the yearnings of their people.
Eze said economists have revealed through in-depth research that Rivers State has lost public sector investments worth over ₦2 trillion due to the endless political crisis.
The statement noted that this figure is separate from the cumulative impact of raw figures denied to the oil-rich state and the positive effects the projects would have had on the local economy and state GDP.
He said, “During Amaechi’s tenure as governor, the state was entitled to a N375bn (or $250m) World Bank water project that was to transform Port Harcourt into a modern city. Everything was ready, but the office of the Minister of Finance, which was to sign off for its drawdown, was allegedly prevented from signing under Goodluck Jonathan on the prompting of the same Wike, who was then a minister.
“That young man is averse to the development of Rivers State. I can tell you for free. Today, Port Harcourt has remained a borehole city.”
Eze further detailed other abandoned projects, such as the plan to develop a fast-moving transport system known as Monorail with about N250bn, with over N20bn already spent by the state government and most trunks of coaches reportedly already at the Onne Port. The project was abandoned when Wike came to power.
“Port Harcourt, under Amaechi, was designed to be a modern city through the creation of the Greater Port Harcourt City by expanding to eight local councils with modern facilities. The project was to consume N100bn per year for 10 years (N1 trillion), but under Wike, the project suffered what looks like half-hearted status or what many call drain pipes to settle political backers,” he added.