Rivers’ Committee For Eagles’ Matches In Crisis

Photo: iheanyiigboko

The Committee set up by Rivers State Government to organise international matches in Port Harcourt is enmeshed in crisis over alleged misappropriation of the N30 million earmarked for the body’s assignment.
Some members of the committee are said to have distanced themselves from the body over what they described as the ‘unethical activities’ of a few members of the committee.
A member of the committee on Tuesday alleged that three members of the 11-man body have ‘tactically’ sidelined the others and are now running it without consulting anybody.
The member, who pleaded anonymity, said: “If the members did their job as directed by the governor, nobody would have said anything. But we are worried that some people now see our committee as an avenue to make money.


“We were expected to provide accommodation for certain class of visitors to the state during every match in Port Harcourt, but that has not been the case. In the last game against Swaziland, only few of our guests were accommodated by the committee, while the other logistics were not provided.
“The governor released N2m for the media out of the N5m requested by the committee, but the money was diverted. The explanation was that the money was used in producing jingles and other materials. The governor should look into this issue so that a few people do not rubbish his efforts in building a new Rivers State,” the source said.
When contacted, former Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Boma Iyaye, who is a prominent member of the committee, denied knowledge of any crisis. But he referred The Guardian to the Rivers State Sports Ministry.