Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said that the federal government is simply playing politics with the Ogoni environment remediation programme recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
He said that Ogoni having played a pivotal role in the economic development of Rivers State and the country deserves more than what is currently being offered to the area.
Speaking on Tuesday at the commissioning of the 16.06 kilometers dual carriage Sakpenwa-Bori Highway in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State the governor urged Ogoni people to stop believing those who use Ogoni clean up exercise at the turn of election year to deceive them and wondered why clean-up never happens when elections are over.
The governor said that he has delivered on his electoral promises, quite unlike the Federal Government that appeared to be on a deceptive mission.
He said, “I am not like the Federal Government. They promised you they will do Ogoni clean-up. Has it been cleaned? I promised you road, have I done it? So you can see the difference between our party and their own party. The difference is clear.
“When election comes in 2023, they will start another clean up. You people don’t even ask questions. Why is it a year to election that Ogoni clean up will always commence? Now that there is no election are they doing clean up now? Watch from next year they will start clean up.”
Wike said that it was an undisputable fact that only the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are delivering development projects to their people and challenged those who feel uncomfortable with his public declarations to also showcase their projects or invite notable personalities to inspect them.
He said that because of the existing mutual trust between his leadership team and the people, sufficient progress have been achieved in Ogoni land and in the entire state in terms of project delivery.
Governor Wike announced the commencement of the phase two of the newly commissioned road, which will now be from Bori to Kono and it will be awarded to the same construction firm, CCECC.
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Ifeany Ugwuanyi, who commissioned the project, acknowledged that many projects have been inaugurated by Governor Wike, including the Saakpenwa -Bori road, which was a campaign promise that has been fulfilled.
He said, “Today’s event is significant as it epitomises the desirable fellowship among colleague governors while providing opportunity for experience sharing and other discourses on service delivery.”
Ugwuanyi enjoined the people of Ogoni land and entire Rivers State to continue to support their governor in every way possible.
