PH Expansion: Stakeholders Call For Decentralised Projects

Some stakeholders in the Rivers project have sued for decentralisation of people oriented projects across the surrounding environment of Port Harcourt, so as to make the city expand in terms of population, facilities and infrastructure that is required for a mega city.

They said that the present configuration of Port Harcourt where everything is centred within the Port Harcourt Township and the Diobu axis does not really give free-hand for people to settle and do business outside these areas.

Speaking to The Tide on the state of things with regard to decentralisation for expansion, the former Caretaker chairman of the Mile One Market Trader Association (MOMTA), Mr. Daniel Iheme said that it is the people  that make things to happen, and that the development of any place has to do with the number and the caliber of people there.

He said that building edifices and towers in any place for whatever reason without the people to use them will amount to total waste of resources, and therefore called on government to always have the people at heart and initiate projects that people need to have to enable them carry on their businesses within.

On his part, an estate Survivor and Valuer in Port Harcourt, Benjamine Oti said that the need to spread projects across the state, especially areas closer to Port Harcourt can not be over emphasised as such will cause a faster expansion of the city, as people move towards these areas.

According to him, “The reason why we experience a lot of traffic congestion within the axis of Ikwerre Road and the surroundings is because bulk of the people come to Diobu and Port Harcourt township areas to do their businesses and go back almost at the same time”.

He said if certain markets are relocated as well as some institutions moved to other places, the traffic problem will not only be controlled, but the city will also expand, because people will have to settle down and do business in such areas.

Oti, who is the Principal Consultant of Ben Oti and Partners, however applauded the intention of government to relocate the Rivers State University of Science and Technology as well as the Ikoku Spare Parts Market, but urged it to also ensure that alternative roads were built to link Diobu and town areas so as to decongest Ikwerre Road.

Also speaking on the matter, a public analyst, Mr. Ndu Ogbondah said that any project or edifice built in any area that does not appeal to the need of the people, will end up being abandoned.

He said, “Why will people leave Rumuji Market where there is potentials of sustenance to go to Emohua/Ogbakiri Junction where the council built Ultra-Modern market, because such place is not appealing to them.

Corlins Walter