Wike’s Challenge to Amaechi

Former NDDC EDFA, Amadi Lists Projects Amaechi attracted to Rivers, asks Wike to resign as promised on live Television 

*Governor Wike recently got the sum of N78.9 billion as refund for Federal Road projects constructed by Amaechi as Governor.

BY IBRAHIM BAKARE

A former Acting Executive Director of finance of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Dr. Chris Oyirinda Amadi has listed projects attracted to Rivers state by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi following the challenge thrown by Governor, Nyesom Wike to name any project he attracted to the State since he became a minister in 2015 and he (Wike) will resign.

Dr Amadi said”Only recently, Governor Wike got the sum of N78.9 billion as refund for Federal Road projects constructed by Rt. Hon. Amaechi when he was Governor of Rivers State.

Largest Cargo ship for the first time on Nigerian water berth on Federal Ocean Terminal,FOT,Onne

Recommissioned Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa

Governor Wike.          Amaechi

 He pointed out that the sorry state of the Port Harcourt International Airport as at 2015 when the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s took over became a global concern as the  Airport inherited from the previous administration was not only an eyesore but an embarrassment to all Nigerians. That airport was rated the worst in the world. That story was completely revamped under Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as Minister of Transportation. Today, travellers can attest to the international status of that Airport.

Dr. Amadi also said “It was Rt. Hon. Amaechi who pushed for the construction of Bodo-Bonny Mega Road with multiple bridges by the Federal Government. The project has long been awarded and work has commenced covering reasonable kilometers. The scope comprises construction of a 39km long road, cross culverts and two mini bridges with a span of 23 m each as well as two creek bridges, Afa Creek Bridge of about 530m length and Nanabie Creek Bridge of about 640m length, in addition to the construction of a major river bridge of about 750m length over the Opobo Channel. The project cost is N120 billion.

Also, he  pointed out ,the dredging and sweeping of waterways within the Eastern Port Corridor was reinvigorated under  Amaechi by Bonny Channel Construction Company Ltd.

“Port Harcourt Port activities which went comatose in the early 2000s have come back with a beehive of economic and port activities boosting the economy of the state. Trucks even stretched their parking up to around the Rivers Government House entrance gate waiting to be called up to pick up Containers at the Nigeria Ports Authority,NPA, Harcourt Port.

He said one great icing in the Cake is “Only recently, Onne Port received the largest vessel ever to berth on Nigerian waters. MSC, Comet and General cargo shipping lines have fully returned to the Port with an average of 1500 containers every fortnight and over 20,000 MT of cargo monthly. Mearsk Shipping monthly container delivery to Onne increased by over 50%.”

Recall could be made that the Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne in Rivers State, entered the record books on Sunday, August 16, 2020 with the berthing of the biggest container vessel to ever dock at a Nigerian Seaport.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) announced the arrival of the Maerskline Stardelhorn, a flagship from Singapore, with length overall of 300 metres, width of 48 metres was received at the port at 16:20 hours on August 15.

The vessel has a total capacity of 9,971(TEUs), said General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Mr. Adams Jatto, in a statement on Sunday, August 16, 2020.
Dr Chris Ayirinda Amadi also stated the Port Harcourt to Maduguri Rail Line is already approved and same for the Lagos- Calabar Coastal Rail Line. Construction work will commence soon in earnest.

Biggest Container cargo ever berthing in Nigeria, anchor at the Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne on Sunday, August 16, 2020

“Yesterday, (Tuesday September 29)the Warri-Itakpe Rail Line was commissioned. This project has over 90% coverage of the entire South-South region.

Other developmental projects listed is the approvals  given to some private Waterfront jetty owners to build Private Tank Farms that have aided the seamless storage, and distribution of petroleum products in Rivers State.

“The Ogoni Clean-up Exercise was so dear to Rt. Hon. Amaechi’s heart that he got the President’s ears. Today, it’s a reality.

The federal government has approved  for Bonny and Warri Deep Sea projects. This is not just an attraction for Rivers State but the South-South region.

In conclusion, Dr Amadi challenged Wike to honour his name and promise he made on a live an international Television to resign as Governor. “With these and other attractions to Rivers State in particular, and South-South in general by Rt. Hon. Amaechi, I am asking Governor Wike to resign within the next seven (7) days as the attractions are so overwhelming.”