Rivers people have continued to pour encomiums on the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike on his commitment to the rapid development of the rural areas of the state, with the flag-off of several road and other projects in the 23 local government areas of the state.
The latest commendation came from an elder statesman and top notcher of the Peoples Democratic Party in the State, Prince Emma Anyanwu who applauded the governor for the flag-off of the reconstruction of Odufor-Akpoku-Omnoye Road in Etche Local Government Area.
According to Prince Anyanwu, “the sea of people from all parts of Etche here today and their joyous mood tell you how happy they are over this project.
“What Governor Wike has done to the people of Etche has made the people indebted to him.”
He said before now, the road had been impassable because of its deplorable condition, and expressed regrets that a son of the community was a majority leader in the Rivers State House of Assembly for four years but never made effort to see that the road was rehabilitated.
Anyanwu said the road was strategic as it would link many communities in the local government area, adding that food products which could not be transported to other parts of the state will now be easily transported, if the road is completed.
Anyanwu described Wike as the Necodemus of today for the people of Etche, adding that to appreciate the governor’s effort; no single vote would go to any other party during the 2019 elections but to PDP.
The Commissioner for Agriculture in Rivers State, Hon Charles Nworgu said the event was historic in the sense that since the road was built by the colonial administration; no effort was made by past administrations to rehabilitate it.
“Over the years, people could not have access through the road; so also the agricultural produce from the communities which are predominantly farmers.
“Today, Governor Wike has flagged off this strategic road, and we are happy.
“We commend him for his efforts and assure him of strong support to his administration”, he said.
He assured that the project would be protected and that the contractor will enjoy the co-operation of the people to enable him complete the project on schedule.
The Onye Ishi Agwuru Igbo, Eze Samuel Amaechi also expressed excitement over the flag-off of the road project by the governor.
He said construction of the road will make it possible for people and agricultural produce being produced in the area to be transported to other parts of the state and the entire federation.
The royal father explained that the people of the communities directly linked to the road suffered so much because of the deplorable state of the road such that for anybody from Odufor, Akpoku or Umuoye to go to Port Harcourt, he had to pass through Umuaturu, Mba and Okehi before going to Port Harcourt, instead of following a short-cut to Egwi due to the state of the road.
Amaechi said they only way to thank the governor was for Etche people to sustain their strong support for Wike’s administration and to vote for him enmass during the 2019 elections.
A Commissioner in the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Sir Ikechi Nwogu, also applauded the Rivers State governor for embarking on reconstruction of the road.
He said that not only people in the three communities but entire Etche found it difficult to pass through that axis of the local government area, adding that several appeals made to the past administration fell on deaf ears.
Nwogu said Wike has come to rescue the people of the area from hardship, stressing that the project will link Etche communities and make the transportation of agricultural produce to other parts of Rivers State possible.
In a similar reaction, the Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Civic and Value Orientation, Andy Nwanjoku said people from the area could not bring out their farm produce to other parts of Etche and Rivers State because of the nature of the road, thereby resulting in huge wastages.
“But today, the governor has changed the story and the entire Etche people are very happy for what the governor has done to them.
“Etche people have no option than to vote massively for Wike and PDP. We are ready and waiting to pay him back with our votes for remembering us”, he added.
In continuation of the state-wide roll out of projects, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last Saturday, flagged off the construction of Umueze-Umuogba-Umuokpurukpu-Umueke-Umunju-Umuelechi-Eberi Road project in Omuma Local Government Area of the state.
The road project is a 16.2 kilometers, linking seven communities in the local government area.
It also has capacity to provide 350 direct employment opportunities for the youth in the area and will be completed in nine months.
Wike, at the flag off ceremony, commended the people of Omuma for their mandate, describing their support as overwhelming.
The governor assured them that they will enjoy more key projects.
He said his administration had linked Omuma communities to the National Grid while the General Hospital, Eberi was nearing completion.
Wike said: “There is no way that Omuma Local Government Area will not continue to benefit from key projects. The lawmaker representing Omuma State Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu has performed creditably, and we can see his constituency projects”.
He berated the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government for its failure to provide succour to the people, stressing that in the state, the APC has nothing to show.
“The Federal Government has no tangible project in Rivers State after close to three years in government. These APC leaders from Rivers State have been unable to attract a single project.
“If you know that you cannot deliver projects to the people of Rivers State, you better keep quiet and allow us develop the state”.
The governor said that as a Minister of State for Education, he was able to attract 22 key projects to the state and grants for Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic.
“Those who represented Omuma Local Government Area in the past: what is their legacy? For this administration, we shall develop the area”, the governor said.
In his remarks, member representing Omuma in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu thanked Wike for his commitment to the development of the area, and assured the governor that Omuma people will support his re-election come 2019.
A traditional ruler in Omuma, Eze Sylvanus Ogberi lauded the governor for the project, and said it would enhance the socio-economic life of the people.
He also applauded the governor on his emergence as Silverbird Man of the Year 2017 and The Sun Newspaper Governor of the Year 2017, and urged him to continue to do more for the people of the state.
Meanwhile, in continuation of the state-wide roll out of projects, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last Friday, flagged off the reconstruction of Oyigbo Market Road by Afam Junction in Oyigbo Local Government Area.
The governor also kick started the construction of road from TAP to Iriebe in Oyigbo Local Government Area.
Speaking during the flag off the two roads, Wike said that the time has come for the people of the area to witness the full transformational power of his administration.
He said: “Recently, while I appeared on a live radio programme, several people from Oyigbo called to inquire about roads in the area.
“This is Oyigbo’s time for critical road projects. Aside these two roads being flagged off today, the Camp Mbano to Iriebe Road is nearing completion”.
Wike charged the people of Oyigbo to always vote leaders who are committed to the development of their communities.
He said: “As far as we are concerned, whatever the people of Oyigbo are entitled to, we shall give it to them.
“I urge the contractors to cooperate with the communities for the early delivery of these projects. For the Oyigbo people, my advice is that you should not listen to those who failed you in the past”.
The governor charged INEC to ensure that the votes of the people count in 2019, as that is the only way Nigerians will benefit from democracy.
“INEC should make Nigeria the big brother by doing things that are right especially conducting free and fair elections. INEC should remove shame from Nigeria. Let your result sheet be the only result sheet. Not that the police will have a different result sheet for fraudulent purposes”, he said.
In his remarks, Commissioner for Works, Hon Dumnamene Deekor said the two roads were in very deplorable condition, adding that the reconstruction will energise the economy of Oyigbo.
Also speaking, Caretaker Committee Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Area, Mr Ugochukwu Ejiri said the people were happy with the flag off of the reconstruction of Oyigbo Market Road by Afam Junction and thanked the governor for remembering Oyigbo people.

Chris Oluoh