Okenyi Kenechi
The Rivers State Government has approved the termination of the Share sale contract for the sale of 70-percent equity of the State Government-owned power generation assets held by First Independent Power Limited in Omoku, Afam, Trans-Amadi and Eleme Gas Turbines to NG Power-HPS Limited.
The Rivers State Government also terminated the concession of the Rivers and Bayelsa State-owned Olympia Hotel to Cenpropsaroten Hotel Management Limited.
The State Government further terminated the concession agreement between the Government of Rivers State and Kild concession Limited in respect of the construction of a Toll road and Secondary developments in Abonnema Wharf, Port Harcourt.
These were part of resolutions at the State Executive Council meeting presided over by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Friday at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The three companies that had their contracts/concessions terminated are subsidiaries of Sahara Energy Limited, used by the immediate past Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi to acquire state assets.
Theportcitynews reported on September 18 that the Rivers government asked Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, to account for proceeds from the sale of $308 million gas turbine power stations formerly owned by the state.
Amaechi was governor of Rivers from 2007 to 2015. The gas turbines were sold to Sahara Energy, a company owned by Tonye Cole, governorship aspirant of APC.
In a statement signed by Emma Okah, commissioner of information and culture, the government explained that while he took “contagious economic steps” as governor, Amaechi is blackmailing the state government.
Okah said Amaechi’s alleged collusion with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to harass the state would not work.
But while briefing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting, today, Emma Okah said that the State Government arrived at the resolutions in line with yet to be implemented recommendations of the White Paper on the Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry for the Investigation of the administration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on the sale of Valued Assets of Rivers State and other related matters under the chairmanship of Justice George Omereji.
The Rivers State Government directed the Honourable Attorney General of the State to take further steps as contained in the White Paper.
The former Governor, Chairman of Sahara Energy Resources, Tonye Cole, ex-military administrator, Brigadier Anthony Ukpo (rtd) and six former commissioners for Health, Power, Transport, Commerce, Finance and Agriculture, were recommended to face prosecution for the sales and buying of state-owned assets based on the White Paper of the Justice George Omeregi Commission report.
The Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, on May 8 2017 upheld the legality of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry established by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to probe the sale of valued asset by the immediate past administration of Chibuike Amaechi in the state.
The Appeal Court in a lead judgment by Justice O. F. Omoleye also held that the Rivers State House of Assembly has the power to make the Commission of Inquiry Law (CAP 30) under which Governor Wike established the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
Delivering judgment on Suit Number CA/PH/342/2015, the court in a unanimous decision dismissed the appeal filed by the former governor, Mr. Amaechi, challenging the constitution of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
The court held that Justice Simeon Amadi of the Rivers State High Court was right when he ruled that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry had the power to sit and make recommendations.
The Court of Appeal ruled that anybody who holds public office should be ready to be accountable to the people, even after leaving office.
The matter which is before the supreme court is however pending as the minister has failed to open his defence on the matter.
