The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has okayed the approval given to Governor Chibuike Amaechi by the State House of Assembly to spend N30 billion from the N53 billion Rivers State Reserve Fund. The lawmakers passed a law to this effect on Thursday and it was signed yesterday by Governor Amaechi.

“We commend the patriotism of the legislators for amending the Rivers State Reserve Fund Law without further delay. This timely intervention by the lawmakers, who have once more proved to be true representatives of the people, will enable the Governor Chibuike Amaechi Administration to proceed with its programmes and projects unhindered by the economic war being waged against the state by the Peoples Democratic Party-controlled Federal Government,” Rivers APC Interim Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said in a statement issued yesterday in the state capital, Port Harcourt.

“Blinded by its hatred for Governor Amaechi and the good people of Rivers State, the PDP Government at the centre has done everything within its power to economically strangulate the State, by ceding oil wells belonging to Rivers to neighbouring states, thus subjecting Rivers to monthly revenue loss of over N7 billion, thus making it impossible for the Amaechi Administration to meet its obligations to workers and contractors and to fund ongoing projects,”

Ikanya added.

He berated those he called “blind critics particularly the Rivers State PDP for denouncing the action of the lawmakers,” saying: “We are, however, not surprised by the position of Rivers PDP as made known by its Chairman, Mr. Felix Obuah, through his media aide, Mr. Jerry Needam, as PDP has never wished the state any good. These misguided critics forgot that our patriotic lawmakers adopted this step in order to save the lives of the teachers employed about five months ago without being paid, including some government agencies and some contractors that have deserted their sites because of lack funds, from further hardship. Some of these blind critics forgot so soon that it was Gov Amaechi that initiated this bill to serve as an intervention fund during an emergency situation in the state. One wonders therefore what either excuse that will suit these blind critics to see that we are in an emergency situation occasioned by the ceding of our oil wells by the PDP-led Federal Government to other neighbouring states and that the Rivers State Government needs to intervene as a sound and responsible government that cares for the welfare of her citizenry.

“In this regard, the APC in Rivers State wishes to commend and congratulate Gov. Amaechi for this bold step of signing this amendment bill into law, thereby demonstrating in a very simple terms his love and care for the people of Rivers State.”

Ikanya urged Rivers people to “disregard the ranting of PDP leaders who are determined to prolong the suffering of innocent Rivers citizens for rejecting them,” urging them “to continue to support Governor Amaechi as he means well for them.”

•Photo shows Governor Amaechi.

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