Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says his projects in his state are real projects which exists, not 3D projects which only exists on papers and projectors.

He challenged journalists, civil society organisations and any person doubting the existence of such projects to come to Rivers State and independently investigate whether the constructed roads, flyovers, industries and other infrastructural projects are real or not.

In a chat with some media executives and editors monitored by Political Economist, Wike challenged the media to investigate democracy dividends claims of all leaders before they begin to accord praise, stressing that in some cases media professionals had been carried away by words of mouth of some sweet-talking leaders instead of the actual work done and service delivered to their people.

The Governor said he would continue to partner with the media “because they are the ones to tell me the truth.”

Wike who is regarded as one of the best-performing governors in the country especially in the area of infrastructure has an advice for the media: “Don’t write what you are told, write what you have seen. Don’t give awards to leaders who do not deserve such awards.”

He challenged the media to return to the days of zeal, commitment and professionalism which won the nation Independence and birthed democracy.

He charged the media to take the issue of national security seriously. While referencing the #EndSARS protests which was later hijacked by hoodlums with resultant massive mayhem and destruction, he recalled how he was the first to blow the whistle on the evil activities of some SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad) personnel.

“When I started blowing the whistle on SARS in September 2017 who knows if the media had lent its voice, maybe we would have averted the destruction and killings we just witnessed,” he said.

On Covid-19, Wike said his approach to containment of the pandemic by shutting down the state ahead of others greatly mitigated the damage of the pandemic in the state.