Former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi has responded to allegations made by former federal lawmaker Chidi Wihioka, who claimed that Amaechi denied the state the opportunity to host the Dangote Refinery. Amaechi said that Dangote had already begun constructing his refinery in Lagos State when he visited Port Harcourt, and that the purpose of the visit was to request land for a gas plant—not a refinery, as Wihioka alleged.
Wihioka raised the issue on national television, prompting concerned citizens to criticize Amaechi’s initial silence. In response, Amaechi explained that he had offered Dangote a suitable site opposite the Onne Seaport for the gas plant and had not asked for anything in return. He added that the businessman never returned to commence construction. Amaechi maintained that he never made any personal demands of Dangote, directly contradicting Wihioka’s claim that Amaechi’s personal interests caused the refinery to be sited elsewhere.
Rivers elders, including Chief Bob Wali, urged Amaechi to address the accusations. The controversy centers on why Dangote chose to locate his refinery in Lagos rather than Rivers State. While Wihioka suggested that Amaechi’s personal demands influenced the decision, Amaechi’s account indicates that the refinery plans were already underway in Lagos before his Port Harcourt visit.
The dispute has drawn public interest, as citizens seek clarity on the factors that determined the refinery’s location. As the matter unfolds, Amaechi’s response offers an alternative perspective, underscoring the need for accuracy in public discourse. The outcome will have significant implications for the economic and industrial landscape of Rivers State and the surrounding region.
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