Wike challenges FG to show evidence of investment of foreign loans

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has challenged the Federal Government to show evidence of its investment of the billions of dollars of foreign loans recently borrowed from external creditors.

He made the challenge at the inauguration of the Rumuola Flyover Bridge that was performed by the former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, on Thursday, in Port Harcourt.

The Governor argued that Nigeria has enormous resources that if well managed, could change, not only the fortunes of the country but the life of every Nigerian.

Reports have it that Nigeria’s external debt has grown the highest under the Buhari administration by $21.27 billion compared to previous governments since 1999.

Nigeria’s external loan reached $28.57 billion by December 2020, meaning that an extra $21.27 billion had been accumulated under the Buhari administration — three times the combined amount borrowed by past governments since 1999.

Wike speaking at the occasion stated that his administration was propelled by love and commitment to service, which was why it was working assiduously and deploying the state’s resources judiciously, for the good of Rivers people.

“It is very clear that governance is not by magic. It is all about commitment. It’s all about your love for your people and your country.

“This country has enormous resources to change the lives of our people. Nobody should give excuses. Like we would always say, if you don’t have it, you don’t have it.

“So, all these stories that you borrowed money from here, and there, let us see what the money is being used for. If we borrowed money, we are showing Rivers people what we used that money to do.”

The governor said that he was preoccupied with the duties of governance and rendering service to the people who elected him adding that his best reply to the opposition was the evidence of the quality projects that his administration has continued to deliver.

He said: “It is clear to them, that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) controlled state government has performed creditable well.

“Aside from the numerous roads completed and ongoing, Governor Wike explained that his administration has within two years period delivered nine flyover bridges, which are handled by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.

“This government has done well. This PDP government has done well.

Our contractor is Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. We are competing with the Federal Government that is using Julius Berger. Ask them how much it is to pay Julius Berger.”

He went on: “None of these flyovers cost us less than N7 billion. Now, the average of N7biilion into 9, the other roads done by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC and the quality they give. I’m happy and proud to associate myself with a company that gives the best as far as construction is concerned. I can move about in this state and country proudly.”

The Governor used the opportunity to warn criminal elements who steal manhole covers on major roads and on the flyovers bridges to desist from their nefarious activities.

He described the criminals and their sponsors as enemies of the state because they are sabotaging the good works that have been achieved to make motoring pleasurable with the State’s resources.

“Let me warn those who steal the cover of the manholes. You know when you take action, people bring ethnic colouration. Those of you who are stealing the cover of manholes, if you like come from anywhere, if anybody wants to sabotage us, we will tell you how saboteurs are treated.

“We cannot do this road construction and you come to sabotage us by stealing to disappoint us, to make people have accidents.”

Performing the project inauguration, former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, said that Governor Wike has proved himself worthy of his sobriquet, Mr Project!”

According to him, those who feel unsettled by Governor Wike’s words and actions cannot take away the fact that he conceives projects, plan projects, delivers projects because he loves projects.

“Some see governance or being in government as an end in itself, you have deployed your limitless energy, by these accomplishments, to demonstrate that governance is a means to an end; the improvement of the lives of our people.”

Dr Mimiko also spoke about the need to restructure Nigeria because it is an imperative means to a just, more productive and more prosperous nation.

He noted that restructuring is also about policies and actions towards getting Nigerian children off the streets into schools for the right kind of education.

According to him, it is also about improved subnational accountability in tackling youth unemployment and general alienation and many more.

“It is also not about Niger Delta oil and gas alone. After all, with the present state of climate change consciousness and concomitant investment in renewables, fossil fuel may sooner than later become truly fossil and outdated.

“It is about ensuring that all our God-given minerals, e.g., Gold in Zamfara or Osun are optimally exploited for the people, and not unaccountably, by, and for a few elites and their rampaging foreign collaborators.

“It is about a decentralised security architecture that will ensure nimble, versatile, accountable and optimally responsive formations.”

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