Posted by By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt on
Less than 24 hours after the ceasefire announced by the rebel group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, has accused the militants operating in the state of paralyzing the infrastructural development of his administration through kidnappings of expatriate construction workers at their various construction sites, for ransom.
Less than 24 hours after the ceasefire announced by the rebel group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, has accused the militants operating in the state of paralyzing the infrastructural development of his administration through kidnappings of expatriate construction workers at their various construction sites, for ransom.
As if Amaechi's worry about the criminal activities of militants is not enough, the governor has also expressed frustration about the ungentlemanly behaviour of the federal government for not always honouring the agreement it entered into with the state government to refund funds running into several billions of naira, the latter used for projects on behalf of the federal government.
The state chief executive also said the federal government has not been fair to the state in the execution of its projects, and urged the federal government to guarantee reimbursement, to enable the state undertake some projects to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
He cited the N2 billion spent on the emergency repair of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, and the 35- kilometre Rumuokoro Airport Road, saying his administration is prepared to undertake the construction of the federal Road to Bonny, if the federal government guarantees to refund her expenses.
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who disclosed this during an interactive meeting with Rivers indigenes resident in Abuja, at the Shereton Hotel and Towers, said the assurance from the federal government became imperative since similar federal projects carried out by the state has not been refunded. The governor who explained that his administration plans to link all communities in Rivers state by road, regretted that the federal government had not refunded expenses incurred by the state in the past on some federal government projects located in the state.
He said his administration has set out funds for micro-credit finances for youths, women, as well as other interested Rivers indigenes, to empower them to establish businesses of their own.
Amaechi hinted that the present administration has embarked on massive infrastructure development in the state, but regretted that such efforts are being frustrated by the activities of criminals masquerading as militants, as some contractors handling projects were moving away from site.
The governor said their activities, such as kidnapping of workers on project sites, have virtually paralyzed the completion of those projects, particularly roads that would have enhanced movement.
He cited the instance of the Bridge linking Bolo Community in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, and Dere in Gokana Local Government Area, where the state government has mobilized the contractor financially, but has not gone to site yet because of militant activities.
The state chief executive used the opportunity to call on Rivers people in Abuja, to visit home and contribute meaningful to the growth of the state, as well as proffer advise to our people to be law abiding