Two groups of stakeholders, the Coalition for Accountability in Rivers State (CARS) and the Rivers Patriotic Forum (RPF) have called on the Rivers State Government to immediately implement the White Paper arising from the Justice George Omereji-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry and recover over N112bn allegedly owed to the state.

The groups also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reopen investigations into the transactions covered by the White Paper, insisting that the Supreme Court’s 2022 judgment affirming the legality of the commission had removed any justification for further delay.

They made the demand in Port Harcourt during a world press conference on what they described as the alleged financial losses suffered by Rivers State under former Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

The stakeholders, represented by the Convener of the CARS and Coordinator of the Rivers Patriotic Forum, Moses Fabian Urang, said the White Paper on the commission’s findings remained valid and should be enforced without further delay.

They said the judicial commission, headed by Justice Omereji investigated the administration’s handling of state assets and transactions and made recommendations for the recovery of funds and assets.

“The White Paper for recovery of over N97 billion – now valued at N112 billion – still stands. No court has set it aside,” the stakeholders said.

They challenged the state government to move beyond rhetoric and commence the recovery process.

According to them, the Supreme Court, in its judgment of May 27, 2022, in SC/911/2017, dismissed Amaechi’s appeal and affirmed that the judicial commission was lawfully constituted.

They specifically demanded the recovery of the N112bn, the $1m concession fee associated with the Olympia Hotel transaction and the alleged $28.4m outstanding balance from the sale of four Rivers State-owned power plants.

The four power plants—Omoku, Afam, Trans-Amadi and Eleme—were among the major transactions highlighted by the groups.

They alleged that the plants, representing 70 per cent equity in First Independent Power Limited, were sold to NG Power-HPS Ltd, which they described as a subsidiary of Sahara Energy, for $302.9million without competitive bidding.

“Where is our $302.9m?” they asked, alleging that the Rivers State Ministry of Power had no record of receiving the proceeds.

The groups also called for the recovery of the Olympia Hotel asset, alleging that the property was concessioned for 40 years to Cenpropsaroten Hotel Management Ltd for a total concession fee of $1m.

They described the transaction as one of the issues requiring enforcement of the White Paper.

The groups further urged the state government to account for the alleged N65bn expenditure on the abandoned Port Harcourt monorail, describing the project as another major financial issue requiring investigation and accountability.

They said the state could not continue to leave the recommendations of a judicially established commission unimplemented while public funds and assets remained at stake.

“We demand that the Rivers State Government must immediately enforce the White Paper and recover the N112bn, the $1 million Olympia Hotel giveaway, and the $28.4m outstanding balance on the turbines,” they said.

They also called on the EFCC to reopen the relevant files, arguing that the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the judicial commission’s legality strengthened the case for renewed investigation and recovery.

The stakeholders said: “Rivers State cannot be a personal estate”, adding that their demand was not about political persecution but about accountability for public resources. (Vanguard)