The Federal Government has described as “undignified charade”, Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s persistent campaign of falsehood against the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Paul Nwabuikwu, Special Adviser to the Minister who doubles as the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, insisted that his Principal should not in any way be held responsible for the delay in the African Development Bank granting loan to Rivers State Government for its water project.
The Minister wondered why Governor Amaechi, whose state received a whopping N257 billion within the first 10 months of 2013, should attribute his ability to provide water for the good people of Rivers to her.
Nwabuikwu, also said it is unfortunate that Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers “is persisting in his outrageous and totally illogical campaign of falsehood against the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala”.
His statement reads further, “As the Ministry had previously explained, the project is going through the processes and must get final approval from the board of the African Development Bank and the Federal Executive Council before the Minister can sign it. So the idea that Dr Okonjo-Iweala has refused to sign it is preposterous and totally inaccurate.
“Dr Okonjo-Iweala is not responsible for managing the N257 billion that Rivers State has received from the Federation Account within the first ten months of 2013 so the suggestion that she is somehow responsible for the challenges confronting the state doesn’t make sense. The governor is advised to look in the mirror if he wants to identify the source of his problems.
“It is sad that a state governor can engage in this kind of undignified charade. The question that fair minded people must ask is: is Governor Amaechi the only governor the ministry deals with? Why is he the only one negatively obsessed with Okonjo-Iweala? The ministry has a good relationship with many governors and deals with issues concerning their states based on professionalism and equity.
“In spite of this false and unfounded statement, the Ministry will continue to observe the highest standards of fairness and professionalism in handling any issues involving Rivers and every other state.
“Nigeria’s best interest will continue to be the beacon that guides the work of the Federal Ministry of Finance under Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala”.
