Rivers: Amaechi Condemns Closure of Port Harcourt Mall By Wike, Decries Unemployment Rate
Former Minister of Transportation Rt.Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has described the closure of Port Harcourt Mall popularly known as ( SPAR) by the Rivers State Governor as an act of executive recklessness and rascality.
Amaechi said for a State that is ranked lowest in terms of unemployment, expectations were that the Governor could have addressed the issues by providing job opportunities for the people to improve their living standard.
He said shutting down the mall will not only bring about untold hardship to the families of those who worked there, it has also shown how wicked and senseless the government is to the yearnings and aspirations of the masses.
Amaechi spoke during the continuation of his tour to wards in Obio/Akpor local government area of the State on Thursday.
Addressing party faithfuls in wards 12, 13 and 14, he said ” As we speak today, Rivers State is the highest in terms of unemployment and the State Government, instead of providing jobs for you, have shut down Spar. I brought Spar when I was Governor to create employment for our people, but just because the Governor opened one shop, he closed down Spar.
” When I was Governor, companies were coming to invest in Rivers State. Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) that left Port Harcourt due to insecurity came back because I provided security for the State. Right now, LNG is regretting that I convinced them to come, because I assured them that there would be security. Now, they are unhappy.
” I was building the Rainbow Estate, about one thousand and something houses, LNG wanted it, as we speak, they are scared of going there. I brought people to restructure the Olympia hotel, after which they would employ our people, they had started taking it down to rebuild it, the Governor stopped them. He nearly stopped Resonpalm. How then do you create employment for the people?
” He should stop tying everything down to me, I am not a buisness man, I don’t do buisness, I am a public servant, that’s my expertise. If he investigates and sees my share in any of those things, let him challenge me”, Amaechi stated.
Speaking at wards 5,6 and 8, Woji, the former Rivers Governor urged the people to compare his eight years tenure to that of Governor Wike, noting that he provided job opportunities for 13,000 teachers and employed four hundred doctors.
” By the time I came as Governor, there was only two hundred doctors in Rivers State, I employed more four hundred doctors, I bought them six hundred cars, I built health centres and we ran free medicare. I employed 13,000 teachers, both indigenes and non indigenes benefited, I cancelled fees disparity in the former Rivers State University. Today, I hear pensioners have not been paid, civil servants are not promoted for years, beyond building flyovers that he said cost N10bn each, what has he done to improve the lots of the people for eight years?”.
Amaechi also assured the people of wards 15,16 and 17, that electing the Governorship candidate of the party, Pastor Tonye Cole will bring about massive empowerment for all.
The former Minister also visited wards, 1,2 and 3 respectively.