Wike blames N30b loan on Amaechi’s debt

Rivers State governor, Nyeson Wike, has faulted his critics over the N30billion loan obtained by his administration, saying it was necessary because he met an empty treasury on assumption of office.

He explained that the loan was utilized to offset the backlog of salaries owned by the immediate past administration as well as to mobilise contractors to sites to complete abandoned projects.

Rotimi Amaechi was the immediate past governor of the state and he ruled for two terms of eight years.

Wike argued that no loan was taken by his administration for frivolities but instead each loan was tied to a specific project with verifiable and workable repayment plan.

The governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Opunabo Inko-Taria, was reacting to an allegation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that his administration collected N30billion loan in 30 days.

He added that the loan would not have been necessary at all if the immediate past administration had been prudent with the state’s fund.

“We inherited an empty treasury festered by huge pecuniary liabilities such as backlog of salaries, pensions, fees for students on scholarships and a plethora of other burning issues including abandoned projects.

Read also: Wike probe, distraction to pilfer Rivers funds, Amaechi alleges

“Therefore there is nothing wrong with the governor going for loans; the issue is not whether loans are taken, but the judicious application of such loans is what should be the issue”, he said.

He added that the APC was just crying foul because the members were envious of the strides of the governor since assuming office.

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