$I Billion To Fight Boko Haram: Wike Demands Special Fund For Niger Delta

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has said that the Federal Government must, as a matter of urgency, release funds for tackling of issues of environmental degradation and security in the Niger Delta.

Wike said that while he will not condemn the release of a whopping $1 billion to tackle Boko Haram, the environmental and security challenges in the Niger Delta far outweigh the Boko Haram conflict.

The governor spoke during the Annual General Meeting of Okpo Club of Nigeria (Association of Ikwerre Lawyers), weekend, in Port Harcourt.

He requested the Federal Government to release the derivation component of the Excess Crude to the oil producing states of the Niger Delta.

He said: “Niger Delta environmental problems are as serious as the Boko Haram insurgency.”

I am not saying that you should not fight Boko Haram.

“If you can get funds from the National Pool to tackle Boko Haram, then you should go to the pool to get funds to fight environmental problems in Ogoni and other Niger Delta communities “.

On politics in Rivers State, Governor Wike urged all ethnic nationalities to work together to fast track development in the state.

He said no ethnic nationality in the state can succeed without others, hence the need for greater cooperation at all levels.