RiversState Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has countered a
statement credited to a pro-Chibuike Amaechi group, intended to cause
distraught in the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration.
Banigo, who spoke through her media
aide, Owupele Benibo, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, accused the former
governor and Minister of Transportation, Amaechi, of using a faceless
group as a “smokescreen to cause disaffection” between her and her boss.
The deputy governor emphasised that she
enjoys cordial relationship with the governor, adding that the question
of Governor Wike being despotic, is a fallacy.
She said a group called ‘The Inter-Ethnic
Network for Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’, had published a
statement, purporting “to save the Office of the Deputy Governor of
Rivers State from despotic political manipulations.
The deputy governor said Wike has never
oppressed her or undermined her office, and called on members of the
public to discountenance the statement meant to cause disharmony in the
state government, and the sponsor achieve ‘unsolicited support’.
“We wish to state categorically that the
Banigo and Wike, enjoy a cordial relationship and the governor has never
in any guise oppressed the deputy governor or undermined her office.
“The Constitution of Nigeria has
marshalled out the duties of the vice president and the deputy governors
and these roles are being played by Dr. Banigo without hindrance.
“Insinuations that she is a victim of
high level political power play within the Government House is a figment
of the imagination of the authors.
“The issue of poor funding of my office
is laughable. Governor Wike has continued to demonstrate the fact that
he is a prudent manager of human and material resources. This is why a
large chunk of the budget is dedicated to capital expenditure to fast
track the development of the State” Banigo said.
Meanwhile, Governor Wike has declared
that the construction of West Africa’s largest supermarket in Port
Harcourt, underscores the importance of the city as an investment
destination.
Wike spoke yesterday, after inspecting
the ongoing construction of Next Shopping Mall at the Trans-Amadi area
of Port Harcourt, stating that his administration would support the
investor by reconstructing the roads leading to the mall.
He expressed satisfaction with the
investment, which, he said, would create employment opportunities for
residents and the host community.
The governor thanked the private
investor, Mr. Ndibe Obi, for choosing Port Harcourt, for the mall,
saying the city has all the facilities that would attract credible
private investors.
Wike said: “I am highly impressed by what
I have seen here today. We will encourage the investor, who has put in
his resources and time to see that this is done in Port Harcourt.”
We encourage others to come to Port Harcourt.
“In supporting him, we will make sure
that the roads leading to this facility are reconstructed to enhance the
value of the shopping mall.”