ACN THREATENS COURT ACTION OVER AIRCRAFT PURCHASE

The controversy generated by the planned purchase of a private jet by the Rivers State Government seems not over as the State chapter of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has threatened a legal action against the government.

The opposition party in the State dropped the hint yesterday in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jerry Needam.

In the three-page statement, the ACN threatened to head for the court, 'unless Governor Amaechi backs down on the purchase of a private jet for his personal use at the expense of Rivers people.'

The party also intends to challenge the State's Procurement Law, which in its words, 'empowers him (Amaechi) among others, to spend about 30 percent of the annual state budget freely and on any project that pleased him.'

Mr Needam hinted that the State House of Assembly, Governor Amaechi and the House Leader, Hon Chidi Lloyd would be joined in the planned law suit.

He lashed at the state lawmakers for allegedly playing a rubberstamp to government's policies even when the people's interests have been compromised.

'Elected and constituted to checkmate the excesses of the other organs of government, the state legislature has chosen the anti-people path serving as a mere rubberstamp to the Executive arm of government, so much so that they no longer deem it necessary to appraise the relevance or otherwise of any request from their paymaster before giving their approval.

'The implication is that, Amaechi has always exploited this weakness to get approval for his wishes whether right or wrong.

'Once governor makes a request, it must be granted as suggested by the House Leader, Chidi Lloyd when he tried to absolve the House of any blame in the aircraft saga.'

It would be recalled that the House Leader and the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mr. David Iyofor had roundly defended the government's action.