The former Rivers State Governor, and Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi has confessed on Sunday, that he collected the sum of $15 million from the former embattled National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. Amaechi, said in a statement in Abuja, that the State Government under his leadership, decided to collect part of the money from the former NSA, to import the armoured helicopters to fight criminals, who he said were masquerading as militants, kidnappers, and all other elements, while he held sway as Governor of Rivers State.
Amaechi’s confession, came on the heels
of the controversy generated by the two helicopters, that were seized by
Nigerian Customs, that allegedly belong to the River State government.
The statement reads: “With a strong
political will to tackle these menace, and make the State a safe place,
Amaechi initiated a lot of measures to deal with the menace.
“Purchasing these helicopters was one of
the measures the Amaechi administration took, to curb the clandestine
and criminal activities in the State.
“And the decision to go for these
helicopters, was based on the advice and recommendation of Security
Experts and Specialists, that were working closely with our Nigerian
security agents, to rid the State of these criminals – kidnappers,
pipeline vandals, vicious political cultists, e.t.c.
“Sequel to the recommendation of
Security Experts, the Rivers State Government bought the two Bell 412
security surveillance helicopters during the administration of Amaechi,
in collaboration with the Federal Government, through the Office of the
National Security Adviser.”
The statement added: “To show their
support, the Federal Government through the Office of the NSA (Dasuki),
contributed $15m, about half of the total sum, towards the purchase of
the helicopters.
“Also, the then former President,
Goodluck Jonathan administration, granted waivers to the Rivers State
Government, to purchase and import the helicopters.”
It said: “However, trouble started many
months later, when the helicopters became ready for the Rivers State
Government to take possession of them, and use to fight crime and the
criminals in the land and creeks of the State.
“The President Goodluck Jonathan
administration, frustrated and rebuffed all attempts by Amaechi and the
Rivers State Government, to take possession of the helicopters.
“Note that the said helicopters were
partly funded by the Federal Government, and that would be operated and
managed by Federal Security Agencies, in collaboration with the Rivers
State Government.
“This strange twist, was most baffling
to the Rivers State Government. Many would recall, that Amaechi as
Governor of Rivers State, at different times cried out, spoke loudly
about the refusal of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, to
allow the Rivers State government takes possession of the security
surveillance helicopters.
“It was about security, the safety of
lives and properties, but the Jonathan administration refused and
bluntly blocked the Rivers State government from taking possession of
the helicopters.
“The same helicopters the Federal
Government had months back partly funded, and had granted approvals and
waivers for the purchase and importation into the country.”
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