Ogoni clean up deceptive, politically motivated – Wike

Rivers state governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has lambasted the federal government for what he described as “playing politics with the Ogoni environment remediation programme,” recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

He said, having played a pivotal role in the economic development of Rivers state and the country, the Ogoni deserves more than what is currently being offered to the people.

Governor Wike stated this during the commissioning of the 16.06-kilometre dual carriage Sakpenwa-Bori highway by Enugu state governor, Ifeanyichukwu Lawrence Ugwuanyi in Bori, Khana local government area of Rivers state on Tuesday.

Special Assistant (Media) to Rivers state governor, Kelvin Ebiri in a press statement, said 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.

“I am not like 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,” he said.

The governor challenged those who feel uncomfortable with his public declarations to also showcase their projects and invite persons of repute to commission them as he has done since December.

He stated that because of the existing mutual trust between his leadership team and the people, sufficient progress has been achieved in Ogoni land and in the entire state in terms of project delivery.

Wike announced the commencement of the Phase 2 of the newly commissioned road, which will now be from Bori to Kono and will be awarded to the same construction firm, CCECC.

Governor Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi of Enugu, in a remark, acknowledged that many projects have been completed by Governor Wike, including the Saakpenwa -Bori road, which was a campaign promise that has been fulfilled.

“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,” he said.

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