The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says he would begin to commission roads and other projects executed in the 23 local government areas of the state from January, 2021, to shame critics who have accused him of concentrating development in Port Harcourt alone.
Wike gave that assurance during the commissioning of Emeyal, Elelenwo and General Diriyal streets, all located in the New GRA Phase 2 axis in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State by the Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, last Monday.
The governor explained that the expansion and reconstruction of the three roads located in Eligbam and Rumuodalu communities was part of the urban renewal programme of his administration.
According to him, with the projects, properties in the areas have been improved and their value enhanced.
“Today, if you come here in the night, you’ll think it’s one of the areas in advanced countries. So, we are very grateful that the communities gave us the support and gave the contractors the support without any inhibition. This job was done and met the specifications with drainage all through.
“Let me warn some of you who have abandoned where there is market and those who say you’re Bureau-De-Change people, nobody must trade along these roads.”
The governor also stated that projects have been lined up for inauguration from the beginning of 2021 as a proof that his administration was not tired of working for the state and fulfilling every promise made.
Wike said the Ogoni-Opobo-Andoni Unity Road was now ready for commissioning in January, 2021, adding that this would enable the people to drive directly to the island 150 years after it was founded.
“I hear they are going to celebrate their 150 years as Opobo nation. They have never seen roads in their life. But today, by the grace of God, they are going by road. And by January, we are going there to commission the road leading to Opobo directly, no more going by water.”
Speaking further, Wike said the streetlight on the 16km Sakpenwaa-Bori Road was switched on Sunday night and everywhere went agog because the people were happy about what they saw.
According to him, the road has been stretched further by another 20km to Kono Town.
Wike also said that his administration has constructed a ring road for the people of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, and enjoined critics of his administration to visit the local governments in the state to ascertain whether there were projects or not.
Inaugurating the three roads, the Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri noted that Wike has committed himself to advancing the quality of life of his people with landmark projects and making unprecedented difference, hardly to be equalled.
He also acknowledged Wike as an irrepressible democrat who has continued to demonstrate uncommon vision and rare courage in working for Rivers people as well as advancing the unity of Nigeria.
“It is really a rare privilege to commission landmark projects in Port Harcourt, the heartbeat of the South-South. I am here because of Governor Nyesom Wike, the irrepressible democrat who has demonstrated an uncommon vision and rare courage in working for Rivers people and advancing the unity of our country.
“Nowhere has Governor Wike demonstrated this than in the constant and consistent liaison with his fellow colleague governors such as my humble self in the North. Let me assure the government and good people of Rivers State that the difference that Wike is making in Rivers State is unprecedented and can hardly be equalled”.
In his remarks, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Hon. Eloka Tasie-Amadi said the roads have been reconstructed under the Rivers State Government’s Urban Renewal Programme.
“All the roads have streetlights, marked for better traffic management. Elelenwo Street used to be 7.8 metres wide but now, it is 12 metres wide. Emeyal Street was 8metres wide, single lane; but it is now 14.6metres wide, dual carriage. General Diriyal Street was 5.8 metres wide but now 7.3metres wide. These improvements and expansion has been necessitated by increased vehicle count”, he added.