Wike Fumes, Says FG Neglecting Rivers

GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Nigeria’s oil and gas capital, has accused the Federal Government of playing a dangerous politics of neglect with the strategic state in development projects. Rivers has been a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 1999. Efforts by former leaders of the party who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to dislodged the party has not yet paid off. It appears, starving the state of development projects is the way the lords of the APC in Abuja, are trying to arm-twist the rich oil and gas state to dump the PDP in exchange for juicy political patronages. Apparently unshaken by the political antics of the APC, Governor Wike is firing at Abuja, claiming that they have abdicated their responsibility of projects execution in Nigeria’s oil and gas capital, because the state does not allegedly matter in their development programme. The governor said his administration has taken over Federal Government’s responsibilities in Rivers, not because they have excess resources, ‘’but because we are committed to the rapid development of the state’’. He was speaking on Wednesday during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the National Industrial Court which will be funded by the state government. ‘’All the facts point to the fact that Rivers State does not count in the development programmes of the Federal Government. And this has sadly been the situation for decades. Yet, we produced the bulk of the resources that are sustaining the entire country and funding multi-billion Naira development projects in other states of the federation. ‘’And so, our position is that, while we shall continue to demand for a fair treatment and commensurate recompense for our contributions to the national pool of resources, we cannot but endeavour to put our development destiny in our own hands, even if it means spending money on projects that should be initiated, funded and maintained by the federal government or its agencies’’, Wike said. Continuing, he said, ‘’the point needs to be made that, we are taking these important steps and bearing such huge costs because of the need to create, recreate and reinforce the enabling social and economic environment for the continuous development of our state. ‘’It is not because we have too much money to throw around on federal projects; it is because of our love, passion and commitment to develop our State, because we realized that the federal government has since abdicated its development responsibility to Rivers.’’ He pointed out that the state under his watch is embarking on the project because 90 percent of the cases in the Yenagoa Division of the National Industrial Court emanate from Rivers, adding that the project when completed will serve the purpose of creating access to justice for litigants and also reflect the transformational legacies of the PDP in Rivers. Wike has therefore, noted the need therefore to have a functional NIC in Port Harcourt to peacefully settle labour and industrial relations disputes, enhance industrial harmony and engender economic development cannot be overstated. President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo said the governor has shown his colleagues the way to go by his commitment to the project. He said when the National Industrial Court in Port Harcourt comes on stream, it will resolve the challenges and risks faced by litigants from Rivers who are compelled to travel to Bayelsa and Imo States. He commended Governor Wike for agreeing to fund the federal project, pointing out that the Rivers people are the ones who bear the brunt of the absence of the National Industrial Court. He also commended the governor for service delivery, assuring that the National Industrial Court will give justice to all manner of people. He informed that two judges have been transferred to the state to work in two courtrooms allocated by the Rivers Chief Judge. In a goodwill message, former NBA President, Chief Onueze Okocha said the project will advance the course of justice in the state. He regretted that the National Industrial Court was closed down by the immediate past administration in the state, leading to its relocation to Bayelsa State. The state Chief Judge, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra and the state Attorney General, Emmanuel Aguma (SAN) lauded the governor for investing in justice delivery through the provision of quality facilities for the judiciary. The NIC under construction by the state government is a five storey building occupying a total floor area of 920 square metres, with four court rooms, judges’ chambers, car parks, lifts and all other facilities that fully guarantee the comfort, functionality and safety of the court and its personnel. Aside the NIC, the state government is constructing the Federal High Court Complex which is nearing completion. The NIC will be completed in December this year. By Akanimo Sampson