Wike Sets Up Commission To Probe Amaechi’s Sales Of Rivers’ Assets

A JUDICIAL Commission of Inquiry has been constituted by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to probe the non-execution of the construction of Justice Adolphus Karibi Whyte Specialist Hospital after the payment of $29,200, 000 to the contractor by his predecessor, Chibuike Amaechi.

The governor, who announced the decision yesterday, also asked the Commission of inquiry to the probe sales of Rivers State’s assets under the Amaechi administration. The seven-man panel has Justice George Omereji as its Chairman with Dr. Edith Chukwu, Monday Ekeknta, Rev. Canon Alex Usifo and Elder Ignatius Piegbara as members.

Mrs. Florence Fiberesima and Dr. Zaccheaus Adango would serve as the Secretary and Counsel to the commission respectively.

Wike said: “In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Section 2(1) of the Commission of Inquiry Laws of Rivers State (Cap.30, Laws of Rivers State) and all other powers, I have set up the commission to investigate the administration of former Governor Amaechi with respect to the non-execution of the hospital project even after the state government had paid the contractor a whopping sum of $39, 2000.00 million.”

He also tasked the Justice Omereji led commission to unravel the circumstances surrounding the sale of Olympia Hotel, Port Harcourt; the controversial multi-billion mono rail project as well as the disbursement or use by the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture of the sum of N2 billion Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Funds.

The governor directed the commission to also investigate the withdrawal and expenditure of the accrued N96 billion from the Rivers State Reserve Fund without compliance with the Rivers State Reserve Fund Law No. 2 of 2008.