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Wike Orders Demolition Of Shanties Along Eastern Bypass In PH …Oro-Abali Flyover Ready, Dec
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has ordered the demolition of all shanties disrupting the ongoing dualisation of the Eastern Bypass Road in Port Harcourt.
He remarked that these unauthorised makeshift buildings along the Eastern Bypass Road constitute nuisance to the physical development plan of the state.
Wike stated this after inspection of ongoing dualisation of the Ogbunubali, Eastern Bypass roads, Oro-Abali flyover and the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas, last Wednesday.
The Rivers State governor, who said he was impressed with the quality of work done by Julius Berger on the Eastern Bypass, however, observed that shanties built along the road were delaying the completion of the road.
“I have directed my chief security officer to make sure all the shanties along the Eastern Bypass must be demolished.”
The governor said the Rivers State Government had repeatedly warned people against unauthorised building of kiosks and other structures that do not conform to the physical development plan of the state.
“And so, all those makeshift buildings along Eastern Bypass must be demolished within the next one week.”
Wike said the Rivers State Government was quite pleased with the ongoing dualisation of the Ogbunubali Road and the unwavering support the community has continued to give to the contractor, Julius Berger.
He stated that by the time the dualisation of the road was completed, it would transform the landscape of the densely populated Ogbunabali community in Port Harcourt.
“We are quite happy that before March next year, the dualization of Ogbunabali Road and the second phase of Eastern Bypass will be completed.”
The governor said Julius Berger engineers working on the Oro-Abali flyover in Port Harcourt, have assured that the project would be completed by December.
According to him, the flyover ought to have been completed by November, but added that the Julius Berger engineers had said they would require additional one month to finish the drainage work around the flyover.
He observed that by the time the Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Rumuola, GRA and Oro-Abali flyovers; dualisation of Ezimgbu and Ogbunubali/Eastern Bypass roads were completed, residents of the state would heave a sigh of relief due to the traffic gridlock currently being experienced in these areas.
Wike described the quality of work at the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Rumuokwuta in Obio/Akpor LGA as amazing.
He expressed optimism that Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, which was one of the major landmark projects of his administration, would be completed by June, 2022.
“We know that by June next year, by the grace of God, we will invite Nigerians to come and see what we have been able to do, as part of our own contribution to the healthcare system. This will be the first of its kind in the country.”
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
