In a recent interview on Sunrise, a morning show on Channels Television, Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, declared that the ‘monorail project’ of his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, won’t be touched by his government.

Wike had stated that the people of Rivers have advised him to ditch the project, hence his resolve to discontinue work on the monorail project.

Reacting to the Wike’s comments, Rotimi Amaechi, now the Minister of Transportation warned his successor to stop playing politics with the safety and security of the lives of Rivers people.

In a statement released by Amaechi’s Media Office, the Minister said the monorail project belongs to the people of Rivers state, while noting that the people ‘see it as a catalyst to jump-start the local economy’.

The statement read: “We watched with disbelief the recent television interview of Governor Wike, excerpts of which had also been used in some newspapers.”

“It was the typical Wike, twisting, butchering and turning the truth upside down and in most cases telling outright deceptive lies in his failed bid to denigrate, tarnish and rubbish the towering image, person and laudable, landmark achievements of his predecessor and now Minister of Transportation, Mr Amaechi.”

“Most troubling, was Wike’s propensity, without any qualms whatsoever, to play politics with the safety and security of the lives of Rivers people. This is indeed most worrisome. It is no secret that Wike plays politics with development, the welfare and well-being of Rivers people.”

“But no government should play politics with the safety and security of its citizens like Wike is sadly and shamelessly doing.”

“On the Rivers Monorail project, Governor Wike said that he will not touch Amaechi’s monorail and that the entire state has told him not to continue with the project.”

“Can someone please tell Wike that the monorail belongs to Rivers State and it’s not Amaechi’s private monorail. Pray, Governor Wike, which Rivers people told you not to touch the monorail project?

“Is it the same Rivers people that have consistently praised the project and see it as a catalyst to jump-start the local economy and place the state at the forefront of transport infrastructural development in Africa?

“Or is Wike aggregating the jaundiced views of the coterie of court-jesters that hang around him daily, as the opinion of the entire people of the state? It is sad, very sad that Wike has elected to play politics with this laudable project that was almost completed before Amaechi left office.”