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Former Rivers State Governor and Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon.
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has said that some projects being commissioned by
his successor, Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike were projects already completed by him
during his administration.
Amaechi stated this during a grand reception organized in his honor by the
Chiefs and people of Ishimbam General Assembly (IGA) in conjunction with
the Free Rivers Development Initiative (FRDI) at the Freedom Square, Elele
in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the State.
He said, Wike was taking credits for his administration’s achievements
because he (Amaechi) did not place priority in commissioning projects.
“Wike commissioned a project that I completed. He called the Speaker of
the House of Representatives to commission a flyover I already completed
… Tell him (Wike) that he should go ahead and keep commissioning, I have
no problem with that. When I was Governor, I provided development for
Ikwerre people just like I did for other tribes in the State,” he said.
Amaechi also criticised Governor Wike over his weak stewardship on
infrastructure and human capital development in Ikwerre land since he
became Governor in 2015 till date.
“Let Wike tell us what he has done in Ikwerre land. For me, if I have done
nothing I have brought up one of your sons right from INEC and RISONPALM.
But aside the human capital development, you also know that in Elele you
have roads everywhere. I have given Elele Primary Schools, health centers
and roads. My mother is from Egbeda, I’m sure Egbeda people will agree
that I did the road from Egbeda to Omerelu.
“As Governor, I did a road from Omerelu to Apani, I did another road from
Ubima to Omerelu. I hear you’ve had no electricity for nine months. I will
talk to the minister of power to fix it. You people should get the
evaluation and bring it to my office for verification and necessary
action.
“Please you people should ask Governor Wike what he has done for you.
Wike’s four years is gradually coming to an end. He has only from now till
May, 2019. We’ll compare him to my first four years,” Amaechi said.
The former Governor also said he started attracting projects to his
Ikwerre people when he was Speaker of the State House of Assembly. He
recalled that he was at the verge of transforming Elele into a city before
he left office as governor in 2015.
“In Elele, you have network of roads all over which were awarded during
my administration and I nearly transformed Elele into another city to
such an end that anybody can live and go to work from Elele. Please beg
your Governor to give you water. But for me, I have given Elele Health
Centers, Roads, and also connected Elele to Omagwa.”
Amaechi also promised to revive the rice mill in Elele Alimini if the
Ishimbam local farmers in the area could come together to form a
cooperative to start the rice farm owned by the Niger Delta Development
Commission, NDDC.
“The rice mill at Elele Alimini, ask NDDC, I brought it to that place. Go
to NDDC and ask. But, if all farmers can come together and form a
cooperative to start the rice farm I am ready to appeal to NDDC to come
and hand over to you, so that you can have the rice farm,” Amaechi said.
The Ishimba Communities which comprises, Elele-Alimini, Omerelu, Egbeda,
Umudioga, Akpabu, Itu, Apani, Ubimini and Elele communities of Ikwerre
LGA, also honoured and decorated Amaechi with a Chieftaincy title of the
‘Ohna Ishimba 1 of Ikwerre Land’.