Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi has accused the Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of stifling a loan facility granted to the state for provision of potable water by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Amaechi, who was speaking during the 2nd Retreat of a faction of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum he chairs, wondered why the minister “who by international standards, is recognised around the world has refused to sign off for us to provide water for Rivers people”.
He further alleged that “she has refused to sign off so that the money can be released so we can give our people water because Governor Amaechi is against the president” noting that “I drink bottled water paid for by Rivers people”.
He likened the situation to “a woman and two women quarrelling. I keep malice with you, I keep malice with you” noting that “they are keeping malice with me and my people should die because I have disagreed with the president”.
Amaechi maintained that his state and other states including Ekiti, met with the banks and provided the required documents and reached the agreement to access the $200 million loan.
The governors present at the retreat include Sokoto State governor, Aliyu Wamakko; deputy chairman of the forum and Zamfara State governor, Abdul’Aziz Yari; Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola; Osun State governor, Ra’uf Aregbesola; Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, and their Adamawa State counterpart, Murtala Nyako.