Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of River state has pointed at the intractable insecurity situation in Nigeria as one of the major reasons many professionals are leaving the country for greener pastures.
Governor Wike made the revelation during the inauguration of a Renal/Dialysis Centre and House Officers’ Quarters at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt, Wednesday.
Wike argued that the welfare of doctors and other professionals is not the primary reason for the brain drain in the country. According to him, mass unemployment in the country has also forced many people to seek better life outside of Nigeria.
Wike said that even when professionals are employed within Nigeria, they are not provided with the requisite equipment in their various organisations and industries.
“When you talk about brain drain, it is not only associated with the medical profession. So many people leave this country because of unemployment. So many people have left this country because of insecurity. So many people have left this country because where they work the equipment is not there.
Governor Wike reiterated that it was out of a grateful heart that he thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the release of 13% derivative fund arrears, from 1999 to date, that were never paid by previous administrations to States in Niger Delta.
He wondered why saying thank you is an offence and a particular governor feels offended over the thank you said to President Buhari over the release.
The said governor, according to governor Wike had gone on national television to say that money spent to do a 3km road in his State would be used to construct more than 15 flyovers elsewhere.
“Simply because I said you people should thank President Muhammadu Buhari for releasing 13 percent arrears to us. I did not abuse anybody. Did I? All I said is please thank him, that if he did not release these arrears to me and some of our states, it may have been difficult for me to even talk about building a Renal Centre, Cancer and Cardiovascular centre, Basic and Clinical Sciences faculty, House officers quarters. I don’t think saying thank you is an offence.
“On television, I heard one of the governors say in his state to do 3 kilometre road will do more than 15 flyovers. Rivers State, is it not Niger Delta State? Don’t we have riverine areas in Rivers State? Amayanabo of Opobo said since he was born, he has never driven by road to Opobo.
“The day he drive by road to Opobo, he said, God is it possible that in my own time I will not go through the river again, I am now driving by road to Opobo. That is a major riverine area. By the grace of God this December (2022), we are going to commission the first phase of the Trans-Kalabari Road. That is a major riverine area.
