Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala has asked Rivers Governor, Rotimi Amaechi to look in the mirror if he is to discover the source of his problems.
Amaechi had blamed the minister for withholding loans granted by the World Bank and African Development Bank for development of water infrastructure in the state.
Amaechi said, “The Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is using her position to undermine the safety and health of the people of Rivers State. I can’t afford to give all Rivers people bottled water, but all I can assure you is to ensure the provision of potable water.
“But the Minister of Finance has refused to release it and I think I should put that before you (House Committee on Water Resources). They want Rivers people to die.”
In her response, the minister accused Amaechi of telling lies. According to a statement from her spokesman, Paul Nwabuikwu, the Governor’s account is a “complete fabrication”.
The statement added,
“The question that fair minded people must ask is Amaechi the only governor the ministry deals with? Why is he the only one negatively obsessed with Okonjo-Iweala?
“The ministry has a good relationship with many governors and deals with issues concerning their states based on professionalism and equity.”