Wike lied, I left billions in cash, assets – Amaechi

Wike and Amaechi

The immediate past governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi
Amaechi, has denied claims by his successor, Chief Nyesom
Wike, that he (Amaechi) left an empty treasury before leaving
office.
Amaechi described, in a statement from his media officer via
electronic mail, as “a lie,” the claim of empty treasury by Wike,
adding that he left billions of Naira in cash and assets before
leaving office as governor.
The former governor recalled that Wike had, through his
spokesman, Sir Opunabo Inko-Tariah, told a Port Harcourt-
based radio station that he met an empty treasury when he
(Wike) took over as the state governor.
Amaechi specifically said a total of N7.5billion cash was left
behind as balances in the state Internally Generated Revenue
Account with Skye Bank, FAAC Account with Zenith Bank,
Access Bank and the state Reserve Funds in First Bank.
“This is besides other balances in the state government house
account with Zenith Bank and other government MDA accounts,
like the Bureau for Public Procurement.
“By the time you pull all these together, we are looking at readily
available cash in the region of N8billion to N10billion left for the
Wike administration. It’s also pertinent to point out here that
former governor Amaechi also left economic assets worth tens
of billions of Naira for the state, just like cash, the assets store
value.
“These assets that are scattered in diverse sectors of the
economy were developed or built or procured with revenue that
accrued to the state during Amaechi’s tenure.
“The assets belong to Rivers State, not Amaechi.  Some of these
assets are presently yielding revenue to the state coffers, and
many can be easily and readily converted to cash, if the state so
desires,” Amaechi added.
The former governor, however, pointed out that it was fraudulent
for Wike to claim that he left an empty treasury in trying to
justify the N30billion he (Wike) took within 30 days in office as
governor.
Amaechi explained that rather than continue to point accusing
fingers at him, Wike should tell the people of the state what he
took the loans for and justify the amount that had been spent so
far.
According to the former governor, “It is therefore disingenuous
and fraudulent for Wike to claim that Amaechi left an empty
treasury in his bid to justify the N30billion loans he collected
under 30 days in office.
“Rather than this puerile and silly distraction of always pointing
accusing fingers at Amaechi, Wike should come out to explain
to Rivers people what he took the loans for, account for and
justify every kobo that has been spent from the loans.”
However, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the State
Governor, Sir Opunabo Inko-Tariah, described Amaechi’s claim
as mendacious.
Inko-Tariah said, “It is enthralling to hear that former governor
Amaechi left enough money in the state treasury. This is
mendacious, a claim without an ounce of truth in it.
“If he (Amaechi) left enough as he claims, why were civil
servants, pensioners, footballers and contractors owed? Even
students on scholarship abroad were stranded and almost
barred from sitting for their final exams.
“These obviate the need for any further evidence that the
treasury was milked dry by Amaechi. Ministries got overheads
last in September last year under Amaechi. It was not just the
looting of the treasury, but government property.”