From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that Rivers people were resolved to resist individuals who have looted assets of the State from presiding over them as governor.
He said the resolve was predicated on the desire to safeguard the State from those who are only interested in looting the commonwealth of Rivers State people.
Governor Wike made the assertion shortly after signing the contract for the construction of the 11th and 12th flyover bridges, and the dualisation of Azikiwe Street- Illoabuchi Road in Port Harcourt, between the State government and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
He said such looters were desperate to cover their track of crime and Rivers people would not allow such people who do not have the interest of the State to take over its affairs.
“This State must be guarded. We cannot allow people who don’t have the interest of this State to take over the affairs of this State. People who have looted the treasury of the State clearly.”
Governor Wike explained that genuine lovers of the State should be the ones presenting themselves to serve the State as governor not looters.
He pointed to former governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Rivers governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, as persons clearly identified to have looted the State.
“They can run helter-skelter to stop their arraignment, but they must be arraigned and tried. What Rivers people will hear, Rivers people will be shocked to know what the former governor of the State and Minister did in this state with his partner, Tonye Cole.
“If they (Amaechi and Cole) like, let them bring 500 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, they will face the trial. So, that Nigerians will hear, Rivers people will see how this State was looted
“Anybody can be governor, but not those we have identified that have looted the State treasure. If we can do 12 flyovers from 2019 to now with the little amount of money we are getting, imagine what the previous administration would have done.
“The previous administration that had a lot of money had done them, we would have concentrated on other things. But we are still working within the city to change its landscape.”
He maintained that the good of Rivers people and the State remain the priority of his administration, which is why more projects are still awarded as he prepares to leave office on May 29, 2023.
“So, we are very proud that this administration has kept all the promises made to the people. So, it gives us joy. Some people would have said why not go with the money. But I asked, how much money can you make? What can you amass as against the interest of the people. So for us, we are very happy and anybody who is working with this administration can carry his shoulder high that we have made a difference as far as governance is concerned.”