Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has chastised Tony Okocha for his remarks that Rotimi Amaechi, the previous governor of Rivers State, was unable to draw in South-South development projects.
Speaking in Abuja at a national conference on bolstering Nigerian democracy hosted by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy, and Development, Amaechi reportedly claimed that Nigerian politicians frequently use murder and theft as a means of gaining elections and holding onto office.
The former Transportation Minister was accused by Okocha of trying to stir the public against President Tinubu’s administration during a news briefing held in Port Harcourt last Monday.
Okocha denounced Amaechi’s purported inability to bring development projects to the South-South area when he was minister.
Amaechi’s close ally Eze called Okocha a worthless political merchant who had lost his mind in a statement released to reporters on Wednesday.
As Minister, Amaechi serviced all regions of the country equally, according to Eze, and he brought various development projects to the South-South region, despite Okocha’s baseless accusations.
As per Eze, Amaechi had an impact on the establishment of the Maritime University in Oron, which hired a large number of Nigerians, including the sons and daughters of Rivers.
Under Amaechi, he pointed out, the deep-sea ports of Bonny and Warri were established.
For the record, Amaechi spent a staggering 120 billion naira to fight for the building of the 39-kilometer Bonny Bodo road and its two creek crossings, including the bridge over the Opobo channel, he added. This enormous bridge is only comparable to the second bridge building in Niger.
Formerly regarded as one of the worst airports in the world, Port Harcourt International Airport is now among the best, despite the PDP Government’s obstruction of its reconstruction during Wike’s tenure as a minister. When Amaechi served as the permanent Minister of Transportation, things started to change.
The Soku Oil well that Wike had backed into being given to Bayelsa was given back to Rivers State.
“When Amaechi was a minister, the Ogoni Cleanup initiative was underway, notwithstanding the PDP administration’s description of it as unattainable when Wike was a junior minister.
“The PDP administration’s abandoned East West Road gained prominence thanks to Amaechi’s involvement.
“Under Amaechi, cargo ships now dock in Onne Port, boosting the state’s economy, bolstering its revenue, and giving Rivers residents more economic opportunities.”
The continuing Port Harcourt to Maiduguri rail project is attributed to Amaechi. Additionally, the train line from Calabar to Lagos via Port Harcourt is on schedule. It was created by Amaechi.
The establishment of the Naval Intelligence and Logistics College at Ubima was influenced by Amaechi while he was Minister.
Hundreds of Rivers State boys and daughters worked on the 320-kilometer Ajaojuta-Itakpe-Warri rail line, which was put into service in 2020 and crosses the whole Niger Delta.
“Amaechi dredged port channels while serving as Transportation Minister, and the Port Harcourt port is now operational.” Cargo landings at Port Harcourt rose by 50%, it was revealed.
The former governor, in his capacity as minister, helped Rivers State receive N79 billion back from federal projects that were carried out while he was governor, among other things.
“As a Federal Republic of Nigeria Super Minister, Okocha is requesting that Amaechi provide the name of one project he completed.
Apart from all of the aforementioned accomplishments, Amaechi was a powerful Minister in President Buhari’s administration who oversaw the implementation of fifteen important projects throughout the South South. In addition, he made sure that thousands of South South Africans were appointed to various Federal Government Agencies.
