Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has stated that his administration has given adequate attention to all arms of government and sectors in the state.
According to Wike, no branch of government or sector in the state has been treated unfairly in terms of funding and infrastructure distribution.
The governor gave the explanation at the flag-off of construction work on the Magistrates Court Complex in Port Harcourt on Thursday, which was done by Dr Kayode Fayemi, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Ekiti State.
Governor Wike responded to an allusion made by one of the event’s presenters, who recalled a remark from a friend about why the judiciary receives so much attention, by saying, “That person must be a trouble maker.”
Governor Wike claimed that the amount of money spent on health care cannot be compared to the amount spent on the judiciary.
He stated that this is the last project for the judiciary that his administration will complete before his term ends, and that it will be done within the next eight months.
He also mentioned the State Judicial Institute and the Federal Judicial Service Commission for the South-South, both of which are now underway in Rivers State.
The governor, on the other hand, took a jab at the state judiciary, criticizing the High Court’s lack of space and courtrooms, which forces magistrates and judges to share courtrooms.
Governor Wike questioned what they had done with the capital budget that had been released to them over the previous six and a half years.
He claims that they can’t receive such funds and still lie inwait for the executive to give them with offices, restore existing offices, and make the courtroom air conditioning operational.
“Let me say something I find very disturbing because it is self-indictment. You said that people sit in the morning, people sit in the afternoon because of no space. The question now becomes what has the judiciary been doing with their capital budget. Because I’m surprised. All these (projects) that are been done is done by the executive. We release your capital budget as at when due. Again, why do you recommend for the appointment of new magistrates when you know there is no court for them. Why? As I speak today, we are not owing the judiciary any dime,” Wike said.
Governor Wike noted that when the new magistrate court facility is finished, it will be equipped with all modern amenities and will help to relieve the State High Court of its overcrowding.
Last Updated on December 24, 2021 7:20 am by Hitvibz Media
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