Rivers State retirees are roiled at the five million naira pledge by Gov. Wike of Rivers State to Sokoto State government to rebuild Sokoto Central Market which was ravaged by fire and to assist the traders.
The retirees said that N500 million would have largely met some of the demands of retired state officials, and lamented that since the governor took office in 2015, retirees have still not received their bonuses and pension arrears.
One of the retirees said: “How can our governor give so much money when there are so many unresolved financial issues? The governor must immediately deal with the problems surrounding pension and arrears now that it is obvious that he has so much to spend”.
Another retiree said; “Some of our colleagues have passed away due to lack of funds to take care of themselves medically or otherwise. The governor must stop playing politics with the lives of retirees in this state”.
Youths activists, Rivers Civil Society Organizations and other groups were unanimous in condemning the donation and called the governor to focus on Rivers State – wondering the connection of Rivers State to Sokoto State that would warrant such donations.
They accused Gov. Wike of playing politics of “financial irresponsibility” by embarking on “spending frenzy without appropriation by lawmakers”.
“I am disappointed because I am simply worried about our former statesmen and many young people who sing the praises of the governor in the face of this financial irresponsibility,” Charles Jaja stated.
“What Governor Wike has simply done with this donation to Sokoto is visual service and dirty politics. The governor should be concerned with deleting the log in his own eyes before deleting the specification in the eyes of someone else”, Chairman Enefaa Georgewill said.
Recall that Gov. Wike pledged five hundred million naira on Wednesday to help the Sokoto State government to rebuild the fire-ravaged Sokoto Central Market.
“What affects Sokoto State affects Rivers State. We will support the traders and the government of Sokoto State. We are donating the sum of 500 million naira to support the traders and also to support the reconstruction of the market, part of which will be used to bring back the market” ,Wike said.
Credit: Daily Post