Mkpoikana Udoma
23 December 2018, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt — The Rivers State Government says it has terminated the sale of 70 percent equity of the state-owned power generation assets held by First Independent Power Limited in Omoku, Afam, Trans-Amadi and Eleme Gas Turbines to NG Power-HPS Limited.
Recall that the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration in the state has before now alleged that the gas turbines and power stations built by former governor Peter Odili were sold to Sahara Energy, an alleged business partner of former governor Chibuike Amaechi at $319 million.
The state government, while asking Mr Amaechi, who is now the Minister of Transportation, to account for the $319 million being proceeds from the sale of the state-owned assets, had alleged that the money was used to sponsor the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 general elections.
The Rivers State government also terminated the concession of the Rivers and Bayelsa State-owned Olympia Hotel to Cenpropsaroten Hotel Management Limited.
The government further terminated the concession agreement between the government of Rivers State and Kild Concession Limited in respect of the construction of a toll road and secondary school developments in Abonnema Wharf, Port Harcourt.
These were part of resolutions at the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The three companies that had their contracts and concessions terminated are subsidiaries of Sahara Energy Limited, belonging to the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for the 2019 election in the state, Mr. Tonye Cole.
Briefing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting, Information and Communication Commissioner, Mr. Emma Okah, said that the state government arrived at the resolutions in line with yet to be implemented recommendations of the White Paper on the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry for the investigation of the administration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on the sale of valued assets of Rivers State and other related matters under the chairmanship of Justice George Omereji.
The Rivers State government also directed the Attorney General of the State to take further steps as contained in the White Paper.
