Just In : Wike Queries FG, Uzodinma Over $12.5m Calabar Port Contract Fraud
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has criticized the APC led Federal government for what he described as playing politics with the dredging of River Niger and River Benue.
Reacting to questions from newsmen during his Media Chat in Port Harcourt, Governor Wike stated that the reason behind the flooding which is ravaging parts of his state is simply because the federal government has repeatedly played politics with the dredging of these two important rivers which has resulted in an increase on the water level.
It will be recalled that the federal government through the Nigerian Ports Authority, awarded the contract for the dredging of Calabar Seaport to the Governor of Imo State Hope Uzodinma, who was then a serving Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, through his company “Niger Global Engineering and Technical Company Limited”, paid a total sum of $12.5 million (about N26 billion), a project he failed to execute till date.
You will also recall that The Special Presidential Investigation Panel For Recovery of Public Property led by Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, in 2018 arrested Sen Hope Uzodinma, the then Imo APC Governorship Candidate, for the failure of his company to execute a contract of $12 million for the dredging of Calabar channel, after about one year of evading arrest. He was later released on bail on health conditions.
Governor Nyesom Wike in his media chat on Friday 14th October 2022, queried the contract awarded a few years ago for the dredging the Calabar Seaport and the status of the project.
“I heard some time ago that the federal government awarded the dredging of Calabar Seaport, what happened? Where is the money?… -we need people that can say No! this cannot happen”
“Today you will hear they have awarded the dredging of Calabar seaport… -all kinds of politics, to who’s interest is it for the River Niger and River Benue not to be dredged, causing untold hardship to our people” ….Wike Stated.
