Orubebe resign now, Amaechi thunders
The Chairman, Governors Forum, NGF and Rivers State Governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, Monday, said the Minister of Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe, had failed the region and should honourably resign.
Speaking with journalists in Houston, Texas, US, during a town hall meeting with Rivers State community, he said the reason for the creation of the Ministry of Niger Delta was to develop the region, adding: 'Under Orubebe, what development have we witnessed? None.
It is a strategy to distract the Niger Delta people by trying to hide all his failures. I had gone through the region and no presence of his ministry was felt anywhere in the area of meaningful or people oriented projects.
'I challenge him to a debate for every one project Orubebe can show me that he had done in the Niger Delta region. I will show him 10 of such projects in Rivers State.
We did a 41-kilometre road to Opobo under water, yet the East-West Road on land he cannot complete. The Port Hacourt/Owerri Road is their road, yet we are doing it with Rivers State funds.'
On his rumoured presidential ambition
The governor also spoke on his rumoured presidential ambition, saying: 'I cannot contest against Mr. President.
We are from the same region. I respect him, and he is a good man. I am tired of responding to this issue of presidential ambition. It is normal to have contrary views on some topics but it doesn't transcend to hatred.
'It is the likes of Orubebe that fans the embers of hatred. It is unfortunate that he can accuse me of corruption, nobody has accused me before.
If Orubebe wants us to go public any day, I am ready. I often tell them that the problem with me is that I am not an old man.
I am equal to the task of confronting anybody who confronts me on issues that are mundane.
'I advise him again to face his work, and make his presence felt in the region.
After all, I don't have any mansion anywhere, but I know Orubebe's mansion. If he wants, we will show the world his mansions.'
Rivers State also hosted a business forum to attract foreign investors to the state.
The forum was declared open by the Mayor of Houston, Amise Parker, who was impressed by the performance of Governor Amaechi in Rivers State. The Mayor said that a group of Texas Business community would visit Rivers State next month for a business trip.
On his part, Ambassador Geoffrey Teneilabe, the Nigerian Consul-General, said Rivers State under Governor Amaechi had witnessed unprecedented developments, adding: 'It is blessed with a dynamic and visionary leader with remarkable achievements in virtually every sector.'
It was gathered that hosting an investment forum in Houston, Texas was strategic, as it is the hub of business in the South-East United States with combined economies over $4.5 trillion in GDP. (Vanguard)