See How Kachikwu Tackled Amaechi Over Maritime University
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, gave the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, clear tackle on the development of the Maritime University, Okerenkeko in Delta State and on other issues affecting the Niger Delta region.
While Amaechi is known to have opposed the university in a region he hails from, he however shifted his position on Monday at a town hall meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, saying that the N13billion use in procuring the land was rather too pricey and should be recovered.
He said, “I am not against the University. I hope you people appreciate that. My argument about Okerenkoko is that the land alone is N13 billion. If you give me N13 billion I will buy half of Lagos. That N13 billion has built the university already so there is no need to spend more money.
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“Let EFCC retrieve the money from them and then release them and we would build the University. I believe the Federal government has no money to continue. When we have money we would continue.
“The Minister of state for Petroleum has whispered to me that he would look for the money to continue…Minister, bring it to me and I will continue” he said
READ ALSO: Kachikwu Patronises South South: Buhari Will Dash You Oil Blocs
However, responding to Amaechi, Kachikwu not only opposed the transport minister’s position but was empathic that the university, which has been embroiled in controversy, will be developed.
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According to him, much has gone into the property, therefore, he will ensure that the university will be developed, as it doesn’t make sense to “throw the baby with the bath water.
“First let me say on Maritime University, I disagree with the Minister of Transport.
“Any facility that is placed in the south south, we should work towards developing it. I don’t care the circumstances under which we are placed…
“It is not my position to determine whether land was valued at N19 billion or N10 billion or N3 billion. The appropriate institutions which are the court systems will determine that.
“That has nothing to do with the development of the infrastructure. As far as I know, so much has gone into that property. So much fiscal assets are being developed. We are not going to throw the baby with the bath water. We will deal with the issues but the university will be developed.
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“If he doesn’t want it in maritime, I will take it to petroleum,” he said.
See video below:
