The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of cancelling an employment programme initiated under his administration that engaged 10,000 youths across the state.
Wike made the allegation on Wednesday during the Renewed Hope Family thank-you visit to Ahoada East Local Government Area, held at Ahoada Main Town.
According to the former Rivers State governor, his administration had employed 10,000 young people into various sectors of the state’s economy before the end of his tenure, but he alleged that the current government terminated the appointments after taking over.
Wike also criticised Governor Fubara over claims surrounding major road projects in the state, particularly the Ahoada–Omoku Road and the Emohua–Kalabari Road. He said substantial payments had already been made for the projects before he left office, accusing the governor of taking undue credit for ongoing works.
He stated that his administration had paid about 70 percent of the cost of the Ahoada–Omoku Road before the handover, describing Fubara’s actions and claims as disappointing, and referring to him as “a bad child.”
“When I decided to dualise this Ahoada road, people thought it was impossible. But by the grace of God, today Ahoada East and Ahoada Town are coming back to be the city they are supposed to be,” Wike said.
He explained that the road project was divided into phases, noting that phase one had been completed under his watch, while phase two, which extends to Omoku, was flagged off alongside the Emohua–Kalabari Road project.
Wike further disclosed that the contracts were awarded to Julius Berger, with an agreement for the construction firm to receive N4 billion monthly from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
“The total cost of the Ahoada–Omoku Road and the Emohua–Kalabari Road was about N80 billion. If they collect N4 billion every month, that amounts to N48 billion, and in two years the projects would have been completed,” he said.
The comments come amid ongoing political tension between Wike and his successor, which has continued to shape political discourse in Rivers State.
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