The All Progressives Congress, APC, has told the Rivers
State Governor Nyesom Wike to allow President Muhammadu Buhari, other drivers
of national policy and major industry players come into the state in order to
strategically reposition it for greater development.
The party said in a statement that there is no justification
for the Rivers State Government to remain unduly antagonistic towards attempts
by the Federal Government to stimulate the economy of the State which is
central to the development of the oil and gas industry.
“We are pleased with the decision of the Federal Government
to embark on the construction of Train 7 which was stifled by an administration
in which Governor Nyesom Wike served as Minister,” the APC observed.
“That administration which had Wike as a cabinet member”, the statement went on, “took away oil wells belonging to Rivers State and officially whittled down its earning power as a frontline oil producing state.
“President Muhammadu Buhari who was presented as an enemy of
the Rivers people has restored the pride of place of the Rivers State in the
oil and gas sector by embarking on the construction of Train 7 in Bonny”, the
APC noted through its Spokesman, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke.
“Recall that Wike had supported the relocation of the gas
project to Brass despite the immense advantages in locating the investment in
Bonny. And his body language since he became governor shows he does not want
any federal presence in the State for selfish political reasons.
“On the contrary, The Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon
Rotimi Amaechi is in the forefront of efforts by an administration that means
well for Rivers people; an administration that is trying in every respect to
open the State to multi-billion-dollar investments.
“Already, the Federal Government is bent on building a new
deep seaport, a rail varsity, an industrial railway park and the Port Harcourt
– Maiduguri rail line.
“Train 7 would gulp $10 billion dollars to construct. It
would create 52, 000 jobs. That number of jobs which would benefit Rivers
people directly is incredible.
“Comparatively, That number of jobs is more than the number
of jobs offered by the Rivers State Civil Service which has between 45, 000 and
50, 000 workers.
“Yet, Governor Nyesom Wike did not think it necessary when
it mattered most to protect the interest of the Rivers people by participating
in the ground breaking ceremony of Train 7 which took place under his nose.
“Flyovers may help beautify a State, possibly reduce traffic
in the capital, but they are not the main drivers of sound investments which
transform lives and create decent jobs.
“Sound economic investments are drawn down through
constructive engagement with major stakeholders in the economy; through a
balanced vision and a business plan which captures the aspirations of a people
in the short and long term.
“Incidentally, this is not what we have in Rivers State
where one man’s ambition to dominate the centre stage has been launched far
ahead of the interest of the entire Rivers people.
“So, a man’s perceived adversaries are made to appear as
enemies of the Rivers State, no matter how good their intention for Rivers
people may be
“Wike was not elected to visit the President. For us, he
displays a high dose of ignorance when he says that.
“Wike ought to realize that he was elected to engage
constructively with all major actors, including the Federal authorities in
pursuit of Rivers interests.
“The Governor must, therefore, understand that Rivers State
cannot exist alone. Rivers interests are accordingly greater than the interest
of an individual.
“If he cannot pursue the interest of the Rivers people in an
all inclusive and sustainable manner, Wike should not constitute a stumbling
block to those who are labouring to ensure that Rivers people also benefit from
the centre.”
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com