EVER—SINCE he took office as governor of Cross-River State in 2007 through  his departure in 2015, Liyel Imoke has maintained a somewhat dignified silence on his predecessor, Donald Duke’s tenure in office from 1999 to 2007.

Yesterday,Imoke. however, fired back at Duke, who has been openly critical of Imoke over the years. In an interview granted www.calitown.com, and published by TheWill, Imoke described Duke as egoistic, a serial failure and someone who wouldn’t appreciate efforts that were not his.

He said, “Let me begin by saying that the reason I have not spoken all this while is three-fold. Number one is my respect for the office of governor, which we both occupied, and what it represents; number two is the commitment to the success of the Cross River State project, irrespective of our differences; and, number three – and more importantly – the fact that telling it as it is about Tinapa, for instance, would have made it near-impossible for any investor to take a second look at the project, which has cost the government and people of Cross River State over N100 billion in contingent and other liabilities. I didn’t want to put the death knell on this white elephant.

“Contrary to what Donald would have everyone believe, Tinapa failed before he left office. It was poorly conceptualised and became a burden on the state in the course of its execution. There were several policy and regulatory issues that should have been addressed either before or in the course of project implementation, as Cross River State did not have the capacity and resources to carry  the burden of
of sustaining a growing concern of that magnitude.

“The project was financed with loans of billions of Naira guaranteed by the state and the Federal Government. The project was supposed to pay for itself,  it never did, because there were no investors. Private money only goes where it makes business sense. And the fact that no one other than the bankers to the state government, who were coerced and threatened with loss of patronage, invested in Tinapa, is clear indication of its failure ab initio in both conceptualisation and execution.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/09/imoke-to-donald-duke-youre-a-serial-failure/

nna this election ga di hot



Please see my signature

I recommend you guys go read the fule interview. Its long tough read since the author cant summarize to save his life but Imoke exposed Duke badly. His sin was staying silent letting him throw dirt on his name. It was very stupid of him.

Full interview link

Donald left office, because the loans fell due and there were no investors or private sector partners to manage Tinapa and ensure the loans were serviced. Debts fell due and yet he continued to borrow even beyond the N40 billion (forty billion Naira). 

Tinapa was commissioned with no tenants, no gazette, no fiscal policy framework or regulations and no operating guidelines; this explains why the private sector did not buy into the project. It was commissioned without completing the hotel and the waterpark which I eventually completed.

Furthermore, free trade zones are on the Exclusive Legislative List, and state governments can neither legislate nor regulate free trade zones. And yet Tinapa was a free trade zone. So Donald puts billions of Naira of state funds into a project over which the state has no operational or regulatory control.

I was saddled with the heaviest debt burden of any state in this federation, with over 50 per cent of all the state revenues going to service the various questionable loans, thereby making it literally impossible for the state to meet its recurrent obligations, including salaries and overheads. Yet, I did not say a word of criticism. I was accused of protecting him at my own expense. Recall that in 2007, he ran for the office of president, largely on the perceived success of Tinapa. Rather than expose the facts, I chose to remain silent.

Blue3k2:
I recommend you guys go read the fule interview. Its long tough read since the authour cant summarize to save his life but Imoke exposed Duke badly.

I don't know whatever Imoke must have exposed about Duke but that doesn't change the fact that Duke is one of our brightest politician.

Though I do not support Duke running his mouth, I don't think Imoke should assassinate his character

Awol1:


I don't know whatever Imoke must have exposed about Duke but that doesn't change the fact that Duke is one of our brightest politician.

Though I do not support Duke running his mouth, I don't think Imoke should assassinate his character

He didnt assassinate his character by speaking facts about his poorly planned projects. If he didnt want smoke he shouldn't have been taking shots all these years. Duke might have good qualities but he's like a rapper addicted to beef.

War of the words
But tinapa would have been Nigeria's Hollywood studios. But the village people no gree

fgg

U mean he fails for a living?

All of you are the same..bunch of looters n failures

Nigerian politicians are...........

politics drama

Or failing is his hobby

You are calling an ex governor a serial failure
Issokay. Kwontinue

I'll still vote him

Lol Nigeria youths need to know that good looks and fluent spoken English language does not and can never equate to good governance.

yet same foolish Donald dey run hin mouth. the project na dinosaur not even elephant project

Imoke is right the project failed from the word go

It was supposed to be a shoppers paradise like Dubai where people can buy goods with either low import duty or none at all

OBJ would never approve as he is a protectionist and it would lead to serious abuse by importers who will prefer to ship products not destined to the FTZ through it into other parts of the country

If however he gets there as president Duke can give the green light for preferential access

adeniyi3971:
I'll still vote him

cos u have no sense

Fantastic

Two agbayas

These PITIFUL SOUTHERNERS have come again?

The camp of the enemies have scattered. Fowl yansnh have opened

yeyerolling:
cos u have no sense

and you have sense? F00l

clash of TITANS

Sweetcollins:
You are calling an ex governor a serial failure
Issokay. Kwontinue

He's also an ex governor and besides duke called him a failure first.

grandstar:


OBJ would never approve as he is a protectionist and it would lead to serious abuse by importers who will prefer to ship products not destined to the FTZ through it into other parts of the country

If however he gets there as president Duke can give the green light for preferential access

He didnt even bother getting approvals millions in loans. Nairaland commenters should read full interview for a clear picture. People celebrate project but it doesnt make the state any money. The dude even lied about signing walmart on.

Duke is far better than u, Atleast he has alot of signature projects.What can u present as your legacy imoke?

2 brothers? No need for this