A former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi has explained why he finds it difficult to visit his state since leaving office as governor.
Speaking in an interview with Arise Television, Amaechi said some of the infrastructure he put in place during his time as a governor has been abandoned and left to ruins.
Describing himself as one of the best leaders Rivers State has ever had, the former governor said his predecessors have not done well in preserving the infrastructure and key facilities owned by the state.
“It’s not because I am the best. I had the opportunity and I utilized the opportunity. So when the opportunity came for me to become the Speaker of the parliament, Dr. Odili and I spoke he said that it is important that I become the speaker.
He added that the problem with serving in public offices is not only about the office itself but what the officers appointed or elected by the people do with the opportunity given to them.
The former Minister of Transportation also boasted saying he did well as both Speaker and governor in Rivers state.
“God knows I am one of the best Speakers that Nigeria had produced at that material time. I don’t know what is happening now, maybe there are better speakers than I was but at that time, nobody will deny me the fact that I performed my duty as a Speaker to the extent I was elected as chairman of the Speakers Forum,” Amaechi stated.
Highlighting some of his achievements as governor of the state, Amaechi said he became governor following intervention by Nigerians, Peter Odili and the judiciary.
“When I was sworn into the office of the governor, you’ll ask, did you perform? Of course, I did.
“I prefer to ask you to take your phone and call people from Rivers State, people are building flyovers here and there, I built six, they are there and I didn’t make noise, I didn’t call the president to come and commission them.
“I built primary schools, let any other governor who has built primary schools, in Rivers State come forward. I built secondary schools that people were calling universities; two children per room in those schools,” he said.
According to Amaechi, at that time, he employed the services of an Indian agency to manage the schools – these included science teachers from India and those in Arts from Nigeria.
Asked what has happened to those schools now, Amaechi responded, “Abandoned, vandalized… That’s why I don’t go to Rivers State because it gives me mental disorder.”