We’ve Delivered Democracy Dividends –Amaechi

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, says Democracy Day is about providing the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Governor Amaechi said this during a guided tour of projects by his administration with representatives of some non-governmental organizations, political parties, and other stakeholders around the state.

Represented by his Deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, the governor said “Rivers State has chosen to celebrate the day differently. Rather than calling for parties, we have chosen to go out and see democracy in action. We show you the projects we’re doing as a government to ensure that we reduce the burden and stress of life on our people,” pointing out that “the projects you see today are projects that touch directly on the lives of our people”.

Governor Amaechi, who is also the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), disclosed that the road linking the old township through Odili Road will take road users out from the old township area of the city to the East/West Road at Akpajo in Eleme Local Government Area, thus, evacuating 50 per cent of the traffic on the ever busy Aba Road while the M10 at the Greater Port Harcourt area would take people from the airport to the Onne seaport in a few minutes when completed.

According to him, the Model Secondary School at Etche was one of the 23 earmarked for each of the 23 LGAs of the state and would like others accommodate over 1,000 students, who would be on the sponsorship of the state government, adding that the students would be provided with a laptop each, books, uniforms, and every other necessity, explaining that apart from having students per hostel room, the students and their teachers will be on campus throughout the school term and go home only during the holidays.

The governor clarified that the aim was to empower the parents by freeing up funds they would otherwise have used in training their children for other ends, asserting that “the Greater Port Harcourt City project is the future of Port Harcourt. Sooner or later, you will realise that investors and industries will be relocating to Port Harcourt, thereby improving the economy of the state”.

He further stated that every project and initiative of his administration was “backed by relevant laws to ensure that they can be managed and sustained even after my administration thereby providing the dividends of democracy to Rivers people”.

The governor was accompanied on the inspection tour by members of the State Executive Council, Special Advisers, and heads of parastatals, amongst others.