Rivers Govt queries alleged N82million dinner for Wole Soyinka; ...seeks refund

The Rivers State Commissioner of Information, Austin Tam-George, has said the state government would investigate the N82million allegedly spent by former governor of the state, Rotimi Amaechi, to organise dinner in honour of Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka.

The commissioner said the government would demand refund from Mr. Soyinka if government confirms that the Nobel Laureate received part of the funds.

Mr. Tam-George said the point of departure between Mr. Amaechi and Governor Nyesom Wike was the insistence by the latter that the former must observe probity and accountability in all governmental actions.

Speaking during a radio programme on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Mr. Tam-George alleged that the former governor “amassed N1.1billion debt on frivolous expenditure” through the Ministry of Information and Communications.

“I will seek the permission of the governor to formally write Professor Wole Soyinka, a known supporter of Amaechi if he received part of the N82million spent on a 3-hour dinner hosted for him by the Amaechi administration.

“If he agrees that he received such funds, then he will be compelled to refund same to the coffers of Rivers State.

“At present, we have presented these details to the police for investigation and prosecution.

“We shall also take up this matter as a financial crime against the people of Rivers State,” he said.

He said all the fraudulent actions allegedly committed by Mr. Amaechi, who is currently the Minister of Transport, would be investigated by Mr. Wike’s administration.

The commissioner further alleged that Mr. Amaechi betrayed the trust of Rivers people by embarking on “irresponsible expenses”, which he said led to the misuse of N3trillion that accrued to the state during his tenure.

He also alleged that Mr. Amaechi left several months unpaid salaries, pensions abandoned projects and unpaid scholarships despite receiving N3trillion as revenue.

Credit: Premium Times