The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Tuesday, stated that his administration inherited a huge debt burden on projects began by the immediate-past administration of Nyesom Wike.
Fubara said several contractors, who handled different projects for Wike’s administration were coming for their balance payment running into billions.
The disclosure opened a new vista in the crisis between the governor and his predecessor and estranged godfather,Wike.
The immediate-past governor, it will be recalled, was dubbed “Mr Projects” as he embarked on a lot of projects, including the construction of 12 flyovers and invited dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu, to have them inaugurated before he handed over to his successor.
Wike, at the time, also claimed that he had paid for the projects and, on many occasions, thanked former President Muhammadu Buhari for paying the arrears of the 13 per cent allocation to the Niger Delta states owed them since 1999.
The revelation of huge debts by Fubara, who was the state’s Accountant-General during Wike’s tenure, came a day he declared his intention to probe Wike’s eight-year administration.
Speaking on Monday during the swearing-in of Dagogo Iboroma as the new Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Fubara disclosed plans to set up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate how the affairs of governance were conducted in the state before he assumed office.
Fubara stated, “This is to let the world know that if there is one problem this administration has, it is the huge debt burden. For most of the projects that are being inaugurated, the contractors are coming for their balance-payment and it is running into billions.
“I have said that I don’t want to talk. I didn’t want to talk because I was part of that system. But, when you keep pushing me to talk, I will say it so that the people will know the true situation of things and be properly informed.”
