I Met an Empty Treasury, Wike Insists
Signs MoU with Julius Berger, CCECC on rehabilitation of roads
The Rivers State Government has refuted claims by the last administration that it left N7 billion in the state treasury, insisting that it did not meet any money in the state coffers.
The state Governor, Nyesom Wike, made the declaration yesterday in Port Harcourt shortly after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Messrs Julius Berger Plc and CCECC Nigeria Limited on the rehabilitation of roads in the metropolis.
The governor stated that the state’s FAAC account was in debit as at May 29 when he took over the reins of governance in the state.
Wike said: “The accountant general is here and we know that we didn’t meet any money in the treasury.
“They said they left N7 billion; may be the money will be found in the hand over notes because the accountant general told me the state FAAC account is in debit. But we have been hearing on radio that they kept N7 billion and I have not seen such an amount of money.”
The governor directed that all permanent secretaries should submit their statements of accounts in order to ascertain whether any money was left unaccounted for by the last administration.
Explaining why the state government applied for N10 billion loan, Wike said his administration was poised to complete all important on-going projects.
He further disclosed that the loan would be used to complete the Law Faculty Building in the state University of Science and Technology, the renovation of the judiciary complex and the state House of Assembly buildings which are all derelict as a result of the their closure for almost two years by the last administration.
The loan, he further revealed, would be used to complete the Akpajo/Woji Bypass, the Eagle Island link Road and the Rivers Mall started by Sir Celestine Omehia.
“There is no need frittering away resources by abandoning projects. Government is a continuum,” he emphasised.
The memorandum of understanding with the two construction giants, he said, was in realisation of the Zero Potholes Programme launched by his administration on May 29.
He said while Julius Berger would handle the rehabilitation of 11 kilometres of township roads alongside street lights and traffic lights, the CCECC would handle 20 kilometres of township roads in Port Harcourt.
He explained that the state government resolved to work with the construction companies to rebuild road infrastructure in the state capital because the revival of facilities in the state capital was beyond political consideration.
Wike noted that the funds for the Operation Zero Potholes had been set aside, hence the signing of the memorandum of understanding to ensure that the companies conclude work in 120 days.
He promised to personally monitor the execution of the projects by the construction giants.
Speaking further, Governor Wike explained that his administration resolved to take the N10 billion loan with specific focus on key projects to be implemented. He noted that the request to the state Assembly was accompanied by all the projects to be executed.
Responding, a representative of Julius Berger Plc, Mr. Marco Braun assured the state government that the project would be completed as scheduled.
The representative of CCECC, Mr. Lee Kin Yong, also expressed happiness that the Chinese company would be involved in the revival of infrastructure in the state.