Celebrating Rivers Developmental Strides

The widely held view that Democracy is
about the most responsive and responsible form of government, could not have been better expressed when the Rivers State Government took time to commission some projects that have direct bearing on the well-being of the people.
True to his administration’s mantra, ‘change you can see, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Governor of Rivers State invited no less a personality than the elder statesman and former President Olusegun Obasanjo to commission, some landmark development projects across the State.
The projects,  21 of them, include among others the Songhai Farm at Bunu Tai, the Afam Power Station, the Banana Farm at Khana, the Buguma Model Fish Farm, the Kelsey Harison Hospital, Diobu, Port Harcourt, the Nne Kurubo Model Secondary School at Eleme, and the Model Primary School, Ban-Ogoi Tai.
Others are the dualised Chief G. U. Ake Road, the dualised Okporo Road, the Elekahia – Rumuomasi Road, the Ken Saro-Wiwa Road, the Model Primary Health Centre, Akpajo, the Niger Street/Bende Street Mini-Football pitch and Basket Ball pitch,  the Volley Ball Court, the St. Andrew’s Primary School, Diobu among others.
Impressed with the quality and choice of the projects, which were described as world class and people-oriented, President Obasanjo, was full of praises as he expressed satisfaction with the projects.  He, however, hoped that the projects would be sustained after the exit of the governor.
Said Obasanjo: “I am here to see development and acknowledge development and so far I have seen indeed.” Again, after inspecting one of the Model Secondary Schools, the former President noted with delight: “I am really proud of the infrastructure and particularly the road network.”
Infact, for Obasanjo, who insisted on his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to have acknowledged, and commended Governor Amaechi’s giant developmental strides, speaks volumes to the credit of  Governor  Amaechi who had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The commissioning of the projects has gone a long way to celebrate Governor  Amaechi’s developmental strides and put to shame critics who have allowed outright mischief and ignorance of the reality on ground to deny the administration’s achievements.
Although, Governor Amaechi had told Rivers people that he did not believe in commissioning projects, as practiced in the First World countries, this commissioning, if anything will silence those critics who hardly see anything good in the untiring efforts of the present administration at changing the face of Rivers State.
Even as this harvest of projects may have come to some Rivers people and other residents as a surprise, especially because of the lies peddled by critics, the average Rivers man cannot be happier as they can now enjoy the benefit of world class facilities.
Never-the-less, we see the invitation of former  President Obasanjo to do the commissioning as a demonstration of the characteristic openness of Governor Amaechi.  His commitment cuts across ethnic and party cleavages, which, of course, underscores his national appeal and believability.
Indeed, it is becoming evident by the day that Rivers State is fortunate to have a man like Amaechi as governor. The Tide has always been aware of the projects, even many others that are ready for commissioning.  For us, the commissioning is a vindication, as people who use to doubt our reports can now keep their peace.
While we commend the Rivers State Government for keeping faith with the Rivers electorate, the Model Secondary Schools in the other local government areas should be completed soonest and commissioned so as to enable all sections of the State enjoy the new focus on education in the State.