Ex-PANDEF Chief Tasks Wike On 13% Derivation Fund

A former national publicity secretary of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, has called on immediate-past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, to give account of the funds received from the 13 percent derivation for oil bearing communities in the past eight years.

This is as he called on the former governor to avoid interfering in the administration of the current governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, but to give advice from a distance.

Sara-Igbe spoke yesterday in a radio programme, which was monitored in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

He said, “Wike was the governor of an oil-bearing state and you were receiving 13 percent derivation for oil bearing communities, yet the dividends of the 13 percent does not go to them.

“He has to look back at what he did for the oil-bearing communities. Did he satisfy them? Let him mention the oil-bearing communities that he developed from the 13 percent.”

The former PANDEF spokesman, who reminded Wike that he was no longer the governor of the state, advised him to give his successor a free hand to operate.

Sara-Igbe said, “Wike is still operating as if he is the governor of Rivers State. He is not the governor anymore. Sim (Fubara) is the governor whether we like it or not. Wike is a former governor.

“Let Sim play his role. Let Sim get his glory or his loss. Nobody should interfere. The likes of Wike, former governor should retire, advise his successor to collaborate with NDDC, to provide first, employment opportunities in the state; allow industries to come in to create employment.

“Then, address the problems of oil-bearing communities. There are no water, no schools, no health centres, no jetties, no roads. Let him first of all address those issues before he goes to NDDC.”