Wike Accuses Fubara Of Terminating 10,000 Jobs For Rivers Youths

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has alleged that the governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, terminated an employment procedure put in place by his administration to employ 10,000 youths in the State.

Wike said his successor, upon resumption, cancelled what could have helped the youths of the state.

The minister made this known on Wednesday at Ahoada main town, during the Renewed Hope Family’s ‘Thank you visit’ to Ahoada East local government area of the State.

Wike, who described Fubara as a ‘bad child’, knocked him for taking glory for projects he (Wike) started in the Ahoada and Emohua local government areas.

He faulted the governor for claiming the construction of the Ahoada-Omoku and Emohua-Kalabari Road, which he said he had made 70 per cent payment before handing over in May, 2023.

“When I decided to dualize this Ahoada road, people thought it was impossible. But by the grace of God, today, Ahoada East, Ahoada Town, is coming back to be the city it is supposed to be. I finished phase one of this dualisation.

“Then I flagged off phase two, which would end up in Omoku. The job was given the same day as Emohua’s job in the Kalabari area. I gave it to Julius Berger, and we signed an agreement for Julius Berger to collect N4 billion every month from our IGR.

“The total amount of that road, and the one from Emohua to the Kalabari area, was about N80 billion. So, I said, if they collect four billion every month, that would give them 48 billion. That in two years’ time, they would have completed.

“Today, I hear people are making noise. They even forgot who laid the foundation. On that road, I gave it to Setraco. I paid about 70 per cent. I remember that day, they gave me 100 plots of land. I said, thank you, I don’t need land there. What is continuity?

“I employed Rivers State youths, 10,000. The person we handed over power to, instead of allowing the 10,000 youths, he cancelled that job. 10,000 youths. A bad child is a bad child,” he said.

He recalled that when he was the governor, Rivers was the envy of other states of the federation, bemoaning that Fubara failed to continue with his legacies.

“I handed over, see where I stopped. Please, make sure you continue with this programme that will make our state one of the respected states in this country. When I was here, you know, Nigeria used to respect us. I don’t know what it is today; you will tell me. I didn’t make mistakes; we never made mistakes,” he said.

The board chairman of South-South Development Commission (SSDC), and Leader of the Renewed Hope Family in Ahoada, Rt. Hon Chibudom Nwuche, applauded Wike for the numerous projects he has attracted to Ahoada and commended him for the sacrifice he made on the instructions to support Bola Tinubu and elect the Rivers State Governor.

Nwuche emphasised that Fubara was elected as governor based on instruction, adding that in the same way the state voted Bola Tinubu as president, Ahoada local government will always back Tinubu.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives promised that the people would always exhibit their loyalty to Wike.

He disclosed that no governor has ever shown commitment to the development of Ahoada like Wike.

He said politics is local, urging those interfering in Rivers’ politics to steer clear, and concentrate on delivering Tinubu in their respective states.

“Therefore, wherever you go, we shall go there. And may I offer some advice to some interlopers? Politics is local. Go to your states and show your strength. Leave Rivers State alone. Rivers State has its own peculiar politics, which we all understand.

“We are a political family. When a leader chooses one of us, we expect that the person will show gratitude and work with the entire team. When you divide a team, that is not how to show gratitude.

“So please, those who are interfering, mind your business. Go and show your strength in your various states. Go and win your state for the president, if you can,” he said.