By: Felix Ikpotor
Following a series of allegations against the member representing Tai Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Mathew Dike by Mr. Kingsley Dimkpa, Coordinator of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Tai chapter, the lawmaker has come out to say that all allegations against him are brazen lies orchestrated to tarnish his image.
Dimkpa in a direct message to PHSpectator and on other social media platforms accused the lawmaker of diverting monies meant for constituency projects since 2018 into personal use, alleging further that the lawmaker has nothing to show for his stay in the assembly.
But the lawmaker in an exclusive chat with this publication denied all allegations, stating that the youth leader whom he said is a member of the opposition All Progressives Congress is on a campaign of calumny against him for not just reason.
Dike clarified that as lawmakers, it is not in their powers to execute projects, adding that it is the State Ministry of Works that executes projects that are nominated by lawmakers.
“Constituency projects are usually awarded by the ministry of works. There is a director of constituency projects there. The facts are there,” he said.
Clarifying further, the lawmaker said: “Since I came to the House of Assembly, I have been requested to nominate two constituency projects. First, I nominated three units of six classroom blocks in three wards. They are; Community Secondary School Nonwa-Gbam. There is a six classroom block that is completed and handed over to the school there, Community Secondary School Bunu-Tai. There is a six classroom block completed and handed over to the school. Infact, it’s the only functional classroom block in that secondary school and I did it because I got there and discovered that they don’t have any classroom so I nominated it and it was built and as I speak now they are using it. I also have six classroom blocks completed at Community Secondary School Koroma Tai. Based on that, the people of Koroma honoured me with the traditional title of Mene Kwalenu of Koroma Tai”.
He added: “I also have a Resource Center built and completed at Nonwa-Tai. These are the four signature projects that I have. Infact, I have received several accolades from the ministry of works each time they come to inspect the quality of projects being executed because I give my people quality projects. All these projects have been certified by the State Ministry of Works and certificates of completion issued to the contractors”.
Dike urged Dimkpa and whoever cares to know “ to go to these communities and verify before coming to the public to make spurious allegations just to tarnish my reputation”.
The House member further stated that Dimkpa as NYCN Coordinator has lost touch with the communities under him that is why he is not aware of all the projects he has nominated and completed.
He used the medium to admonish Ogoni youths and others in the state to desist from pulling down leaders if they want to grow.
