The Rivers State governor, Chief Rotimi Amaechi has commenced an investigation into the finances and properties of the state following the discovery of about N100m in the state coffers and missing properties.
A source in the Government House told our correspondent that out of N113bn which the state received between May and September, the former governor allegedly left only N100m in the coffers.
The source also said that officials of the former administration, have taken some vehicles, computers and other office equipment away, thereby crippling the take off of the Amaechi administration.
�The governor has ordered for an investigation of the finances of the state between May and now. it is perceived that public funds have been misappropriated.
�From the records, the last administration received over N113bn as federal allocation but what has been left is about N100m. It has therefore become so difficult for the new government to start work.
�It is learnt that approvals were still being made on the night after the Supreme Court gave its verdict and some funds and vehicles were actually moved that night too.
�As part of measures to recover properties taken away by former aides to Omehia, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has directed former commissioners and aides of the former governor, to return all cars, computers and valuables in their possession within 24 hours
It was also learnt that all the armored cars in the governor�s fleet including Range Rovers and Land Rovers were looted, a situation which has made Amaechi to resort to the use of his personal car.
The source said that over 18 un-allocated brand new Toyota Camry 2007 cars, which were parked on the field in front of the old Brick House, were all looted the night the former governor vacated office.
Contacted, the Director of Press Affairs to the Governor, Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke, said that the government has launched an investigation into the state finances during the past five months.
Nwuke said, �I can tell you that efforts are being made by financial experts to unravel if any money was moved from the system before the governor�s assumption of office.
�It is not an attempt at witch-hunting but the government is trying to confirm if tax payers� money required for developmental purposes were taken away by those who ought to protect them.
�We cannot say for now that money is missing but some cars have vanished. We pray that those who took away those cars should have a rethink and return them.�
Meanwhile, the Action Congress in the state has called for the investigation of an alleged multimillion naira mansion being constructed by the former governor at his village in Ubima.
AC�s spokesperson, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka, made the call in Port Harcourt on Monday.
The party also urged the governor to declare a state of emergency in all facets of governance in the state to address the deplorable state of infrastructure in the state.
Oct302007