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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