PDP Welcomes Dakuku’s Admission of Amaechi’s Faults On Judiciary, Projects Collapse in Rivers

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says its position on the dilapidating state of public facilities and failure of government institutions in the State has been vindicated, following the admission by the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gubernatorial Candidate, Dakuku Peterside, on 93.7Fm live radio programme (View Point) in Port Harcourt on Saturday, January 31, 2015.

The PDP states that the truth on the colossal damage the APC government under Gov. Amaechi and his cohorts has done to Rivers people will continue to unfold, and confessional statements made by them for Rivers people to know that PDP has always been right in its claims.

The party receives with grave concern Mr. Peterside's position to sell off major government-owned business investments and some public facilities, which either provide some social services to the people or generate some revenue for the State, if elected as governor, noting that rather than initiating productive and development-sparking ideas that would enhance the revenue base of the State, the APC governorship candidate prefers taking actions that would impoverish the State, thereby causing untold hardship and poverty on the masses.

The party also expresses reservation on the decision of Mr. Peterside to destroy some residential areas, particularly the waterfronts in parts of Port Harcourt, wondering whether he is oblivious of the fact that majority of Rivers people live in such areas, and demolishing the areas without providing an alternative place, will lead to total displacement and sacking of people from Port Harcourt.

Acknowledging Mr. Peterside's courage in condemning Governor Amaechi's failed Monorail project, the Kesley Harrison Hospital concept (a supposedly Public Private Partnership Project), and the undemocratic and arrogant manner he (Amaechi) handles the Judiciary issues, which led to the closure of the court in the State for over 11 months, the Party urges Rivers people to reject the APC at the polls as Peterside's admission is a confirmation of his adoption of Gov. Amaechi's legacy of failure in the State.

The PDP also observes that the APC Candidate failed to proffer solution to the biting unemployment situation in the State, particularly the empowerment of the youths, who form over 45 percent of the total population of the State, wondering how someone will aspire to be Chief Executive of a State like Rivers, and will not have any plan for the teeming youth population.

In like manner, the PDP is of the view that the assurance by Dakuku Peterside to sustain the 30 percent projects reservation principle for the Governor in projects awards, as contained in the Public Procurement Law of the State, violates the democratic principles of due process, observing that such position will not provide any check on the financial recklessness and abuse of executive powers by a sitting Governor, especially those of them from the APC, who have continued to exhibit attitude of absence of regard for transparency and accountability in governance and in handling public funds.

The PDP notes that although, it is not disappointed that Mr. Peterside refused to take advantage of the radio programme to provide explanations as to why he was beaten and stripped naked on March 10, 1993, when he was a student at the Rivers State University Science and Technology, RSUST, Port Harcourt, the Party calls on him (Dakuku) to publicly explain to Rivers people what happened, as his silence obviously proves his hypocritical Christianity.

The Peoples Democratic Party therefore, reiterates its readiness to provide a transparent and responsible government for the people of the State, and also calls on the electorate to massively, come February 14 and 28, 2015, respectively vote for Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, for President and Chief (Barr.) Nysom Wike, as Governor, and all other Candidates of the PDP, for a better and prosperous Rivers State.

Signed:
Jerry Needam
Special Adviser, on Media to
State PDP Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah
Sunday, February 1, 2015.