By Gracious Akujobi The organizers of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) Games have accused Rivers state of sabotaging this year’s edition.
President of the association, Fatai Jimoh told Prompt News Online in a chat that the refusal of Rivers Government to release the fund approved for the Games has stalled this year’s edition.
He noted also that non release of fund has affected the smooth flow of the games that was already enjoining large followership and popularity among parliamentarians in the country.
Jimoh said they have confirmation from the River state chapter that Governor Rotimi Amaechi had approved the amount they requested to host the event in Rivers state but lamented that some top officials of the government have sat on the fund on the excuse that there is crisis in the state.
“If I tell you I am disappointed I am just been economical with the truth. I so much place River state in very high esteem, particularly because of their keen interest. They came third at the last edition in Abeokuta.
“Before they left Abeokuta they told us their Governor and Speaker are interested in hosting the next edition.
“So, because of their keenness we had given them the hosting rights warding of interest from Niger, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states who were also very keen on hosting the games.
“PASAN cuts across all the Nigeria Parliamentary in the country whether in the state or National. We have been able to organize our preliminaries, before we could do that, we had to task ourselves. All the zonal champions have emerged waiting for the games to begin in Port-Harcourt but it is at this level that we are stuck because of financial constraint”
“Rivers state has done to us great damage because now, we are supposed to be talking about the West Africa Parliamentary Games. Most of the Presidents of the sub-regional body are really interested in the games and have called us to say they are interested in participating on the regional level.
“And with the way and manner we are been treated by the River state people, how can we now forge ahead? And when this year’s edition is not held, Oyo state who are suppose to host next year’s edition will back out also. Rivers state government is setting a bad precedence. This is our basis for crying out to the media” a frustrated Jimoh stated.
