Rivers: Why I Fired Environment Commissioner – Wike

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday sacked the commissioner for Environment, Dr. Igbiks Tamuno.

Naija News had earlier reported that special assistant to the governor on media, Kelvin Ebiri noted that Tamuno’s sack is with immediate effect.

Wike while speaking at the signing of contracts for the Trans -Kalabari Road project phase one, and the Saakpenwa-Bori -Kono Road project phase two at Government House, disclosed that the Commissioner was sacked because he engaged in acts that amounted to sabotage.

The Rivers State Governor noted Tamuno wrote to Julius Berger to stop construction work without his approval.

“I don’t know how a commissioner can write to a company to stop work without my approval. And Julius Berger for that matter, to stop construction in the entire State. I have never heard of such thing before. I didn’t know that commissioners have so much power like that.”

“I’m saying it because some of you don’t even know the limit of your power. These are contractors working for the state government. He (Tamuno) never interfaced with the Ministry of Works. We have paid Julius Berger and you ask them to stop work, so that they will come and ask for variation later?” he said.

The Governor said the signing of the contracts for the Trans -Kalabari Road project phase one, and the Saakpenwa-Bori -Kono Road project phase two is to demonstrate the importance his administration places on opening up more rural communities for development.

He further stated that the project would be carried out in now time with the plan of N1 billion monthly to be paid into the accounts of the construction companies.

“So many people have said that all these things are political statements. That is why we want to let you know that they are not political statements. We are serious about it.”

“If there is one road that must be completed within time, it is that Trans-Kalabari Road. It is very key to us, to link up so many communities within the Kalabari area.”

“So, we have tied our funds to these roads, by every month; you don’t need to come to us, or write to us to say you’ve done 50 metres, 100metres or 1kilometres, no.”

“The money is paid to you directly every month by the banks. N1billion each. For the Trans-Kalabari road, which is about N13 billion. We believed that you have no excuse not to finish the road in 14 months.”

Wike called on the communities to work with the contractors and avoid bothering them with unnecessary demands.