Alarmed by what it described as unconscionable parceling away of Rivers state government owned property and Multi- Billion Projects, the Rivers state government has set –up a judicial commission of Inquiry to investigate the immediate past administration of Governor Chibuike Amaechi.
The commission is also to investigate other shady deals that appeared lacking in transparency.
It is headed by Justice George O. Omereji as the chairman While Mrs Florence Fiberesim and Dr. Zachaeus Adango were appointed as Secretary and Counsel respectively to the Commission. Other members of the commission include Dr. Edith Chukwu, , Chief Monday Ekenta , Rev. Canon Alex Usifo and Elder Ignatius Piegbara.
Inaugurating the commission in Rivers state government House on Friday, Governors Nyesome Wike said: ‘’ In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Section 2(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Law of Rivers State(Cap.30, Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999), and of all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, Governors of Rivers State, hereby constitute and appoint a Judicial Commission of Inquiry for the investigation of the administration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi with respect to :
The sale of Omoku 150MW Gas Turbin, Afam 360 MW Gas Turbine, Trans-Amadi 136 Gas Turbine and Eleme 75MW Gas Turbine ….’’as well as the sale of the high brow Olympia Hotel close to the Government House.
Other Areas of concern which the commission is directed to look into include the controversial Mono-rail project, the non execution of the Contract for the construction of the Justice Adolphus Karibi –Whyte Specialist Hospital ‘’ after payment of the sum of N36 Million and $200,000 dollars to the supposed contractor’’,
Also to be unraveled is the mystery surroundinjg the disbursement or use by the Rivers state Ministry of Agriculture, of the sum of N2 Billion Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Funds,; and the withdrawal and expenditure of the accrued N96 Billion from the Rivers state Reserve Fund Without compliance with the Rivers State Reserve Fund Law No 2 . of 2008.
The commissioner, according to the terms of Reference, is to ascertain the circumstances of the sale of the afore mentioned Multi-billion Power outfits by the Amaechi administration, identify the purchasers, the costs for which they were sold and the whereabouts of the proceeds.
It is also to ascertain whether the transaction was conducted with the requisite transparency and accountability in accordance with the provisions of extant Laws in force in Rivers State among other facets and make appropriate recommendations for the recovery of the proceeds concerning the sales among other things..
It is to submit its report to the Governor not later than one month from Friday.
