Former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised Governor Siminalayi Fubara over the termination of an employment scheme meant to engage 10,000 youths, describing the decision as a failure of leadership and declaring that “a bad child is a bad child.”
Wike spoke at a political gathering in Ahoada, Ahoada East Local Government Area, during a visit by members of the Renewed Hope Family on Wednesday, where he accused the current administration of discontinuing programmes designed to improve the welfare of Rivers youths. He said the employment initiative was already in place before he handed over power but was cancelled after the new government took office.
“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,” Wike said, adding, “A bad child is a bad child.”
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The former governor also used the occasion to defend his record on infrastructure development, particularly in Ahoada and surrounding communities, amid claims that some ongoing projects were being misrepresented. He said major road projects credited to the present administration were initiated, awarded and substantially funded under his tenure.
According to Wike, “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 dualization.”
He explained that the second phase of the project was flagged off before he left office. “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.”
Wike said the total cost of the Ahoada–Omoku road and the Emohua–Kalabari road was about N80 billion, noting that the payment structure was designed to ensure timely completion. “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.”
He further accused unnamed persons of ignoring the origins of the projects. “Today, I hear people are making noise. They even forgot who laid the foundation,” he said. On another road project, Wike stated: “On that road, I gave it to Setraco. I paid about 70%. I remember that day, they gave me 100 plots of land. I said, thank you, I don’t need land there. What is continuity?”
Earlier, the Chairman of the South South Development Commission (SSDC) and Leader of the Renewed Hope Family in Ahoada, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, applauded Wike for what he described as the numerous projects attracted to the area. Nwuche also commended Wike for what he called the political sacrifice he made in supporting President Bola Tinubu and the emergence of the Rivers State governor.
