THE disagreement between the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, and his predecessor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, continued on Tuesday when Wike denied claims that he (Amaechi) left N10bn in the state treasury.Amaechi had on Saturday maintained that he left billions of naira in different bank accounts belonging to the state.
But Wike, who spoke during the Civil Service Day award celebration in Port Harcourt, insisted that he met an empty treasury when he was inaugurated as governor, adding that his predecessor has no proof of leaving any funds in the coffers of the state.
The governor explained that Amaechi could not have left N10bn in the state’s treasury without paying workers, pensioners and contractors as and when due.
Wike said, “If there was any truth in his (Amaechi) claim that he left the sum of N10bn, why was he unable to pay civil servants, pensioners, refuse disposal contractors for more than three months?
“Why was it that our children could not write their examinations while those on foreign scholarship were stranded because of the state’s indebtedness,” the governor queried.
Wike pointed out that he decided to attend the civil service event to demonstrate how important workers in the state were to him.
Calling on the Head of Service, Mr. Rufus Godwins, to ensure proper lighting and other relevant facilities in the secretariat, the governor explained that this was necessary in order to improve the working environment for civil servants.
