As part of activities marking the second Anniversary Celebration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in office, the governor Saturday performed the ground breaking ceremony for the kick-off of the development of the Greater Port Harcourt City.

Performing the ceremony at the Greater Port Harcourt site, Governor Amaechi said while the Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority was yet to commence its projects in the new city the government has started the development with the building of the new Rivers State University of Science and Technology and the mega hospital christened Justice Karibi-White Specialist Hospital.

The governor who explained that the authority could not start because it has to wait for Due Process said they representing the government as politicians could not wait, but put the land mark because by the end of their tenure, the people would ask them what they have achieved.

He however indicated his happiness with the management of the Greater Port Harcourt Authority for trying to put in place what looks like the Tinapa Business Resort in Calabar in the Greater Port Harcourt City.

The State Chief Executive said there in an indication that foreign partners are already showing interest in the project and expressed the hope that if achieved, the project would not only add to the aesthetic beauty of the new city but would also enhance the economy of the state.

In his remark, the Chairman, Board of the Greater Port Harcourt City, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba said the concept of the new city is of interest not only to Rivers State but beyond because of the potential benefits for better living and investments

Chief Anabraba pointed out that the new city would no doubt create better conditions and environment for living, working and economic development, saying that because what makes the city great and functional to a large extent depends on the state of infrastructure such as roads, water, power, sewage, drains among others saying, the authority since inception has been concentrating on the design of such facilities.

According to the board chairman, the designs have reached advanced stage as he expressed the hope that within a couple of weeks into the new year, the process for the award of contracts and commencement of construction works would begin.

Also speaking, the Sole Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt City, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam described the groundbreaking event as a mile stone and evidence of the fact that the present administration is ready to move on.

Dame Aleruchi hinted that the Greater Port Harcourt Authority has commenced the Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA process to ensure that activities at the new city do not impact negatively on the communities whose lands are involved in the development.

The activities marking the second anniversary also involved the governor leading stakeholders in the state on visits to some project sites in Port Harcourt, Obio Akpor and Eleme Local Government Areas.

Projects visited include the Model Health Centre, Church Hill Road, Town Market, the Reconstructed Modern Mile One Market, the new Niger Hospital known as Kelsay Harrison Hospital, Rumuokwuta/Choba Road, Agip Junction flyover along Ikwerre Road, Dental Hospital, Model Primary School and Health Centre, Elekahia, the Model Secondary School, Ebubu-Eleme.

Among those who accompanied tile governor on the visit were traditional rulers, council chairmen, commissioners, members of the state legislature and other politicians.