Wike spites Amaechi again during recent event

– Rivers state governor flags off enterprise development fund

– Promises the people that he would not be like the immediate past governor, Rotimi Amaechi

– Assures the people of continuing with people-friendly projects

Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers state, on Saturday, February 6, flagged off the N2 billion Rivers state micro, small, medium scale enterprise development fund in Port Harcourt, the state capital, saying that his administration will not be like the immediate past in the state.

He assured the less privileged that his administration will take concrete steps to empower them through micro-credit schemes that will grow small and medium scale businesses across the state.

Flagging off the N2 billion fund on Saturday, Governor Wike said the programme, which is being funded through a facility from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), will assist small businesses have access to capital so that they can develop faster.

The governor noted that the state government will serve as a collateral for the small business owners so that they can play more positive roles in the economic recovery of the state.

According to him, his administration will ensure that the conditions for issuing out the loans by the Rivers state Micro Finance Agency (RIMA) will be friendly enough for small and medium sized businesses to have access to funds.

He said: “The aim of this empowerment programme is to reach the mama-put operator, the onion seller, the barber, the table water manufacturer and owners of medium sized businesses for them to expand, employ more people and grow the state economy.

“With the present reality, it is no longer feasible to rely solely on oil revenue. Therefore, my administration will ensure that these businesses have access to funds without stringent conditions. This is the first batch. Those not accommodated in this batch will be accommodated in the second batch.”

The governor added that his administration will also extend credit facilities to farmers in the state to enable them expand for the purpose of the state’s food security and the empowerment of a greater percentage of the people.

Governor Wike said the N2billion fund will be administered judiciously, pointing out that it will not be like the Amaechi administration which squandered a similar facility.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Coalition Against Corruption, an anti-graft group, has urged the federal government and anti-corruption agencies to investigate Governor Wike.

According to Sahara Reporters, the group in a statement signed by Peter Iloagbeze accused the governor as massive theft spanning five years. Wike was accused of diversion of resources from the Tetfund; the swindling of over N100 billion Universal Basic Education Fund, as well as conversion and diversion over N20 billion of the Ministry of Education budgets in four years while he was serving as the minister of state for education and later acting minister of education.