Rivers: ‘We Will Not Politicise Security, Dev’

President Muhammadu Buhari (middle) Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (7th left), with State Governors and other members of the National Economic Council after their inauguration by President Buhari, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, last Monday

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that his administration would not politicise the strategic development interest of the state but would remain committed to the transformation of all sectors of the Rivers economy.
Wike stated this in Ogu in Ogu/Bolo LGA of Rivers State during the commissioning of 3.6 kilometres interlock road network constructed by Orleans Invest West Africa Limited in Ogu new layout town.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Kenneth Kobani, commended the management of Orleans Invest for constructing the road for the community, and urged other companies operating in Rivers State to partner with the Rivers state government in the development of the state.
The governor also lauded the people of Ogu over their peaceful disposition, which had made the project possible, and assured that the Rivers State governor was poised to secure the lives and property of Rivers people.
In his remarks, the Deputy General Manager, Common Services, Orleans Invest, Chief David Alagoa, thanked the people of Ogu for putting aside their differences and working with a common front to achieve development in the area.
He said the road network was part of the corporate social responsibility of the company to its host communities.
Also speaking, the Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator George Thompson Sekibo, urged the people of Ogu to sustain the peace in the community to attract more development projects to the area,  and added that youth should resolve their grievances through dialogue, while other companies should emulate Orleans Invest in performing their corporate social responsibilities.
Earlier, the Chairman of Ogu Council of Chiefs, and Elders, Chief Daso Mark Derefaka, had on behalf of the Amanyanabo of Ogu, Nicholas Ibiebele Nimenibo, thanked the company for constructing the road.
He said the condition of the road was deplorable before now, adding that the road project will alleviate the plight of the people.
He also thanked the company for constructing a new market in the area and building an ultra-modern palace for the Amanyanabo of Ogu.
Earlier at his visit to the Diobu axis of the operation zero potholes project, Chief Nyesom Wike has expressed satisfaction with the pace of work.
Speaking during an inspection visit at Azikiwe Street in Diobu, Port Harcourt, Wike said that the roads will be rehabilitated aggressively to improve the traffic situation in the state capital.
The governor said that 50 percent of the funds for the operation zero potholes have been paid to the two companies executing the project.
He said that at the end of his 100 days, he believes that the two companies would have delivered several roads out of 33 kilometres set aside for rehabilitation.
“I am satisfied with the level of work done by the contractor on Azikwe Road. We expect that by the time we clock 100 days, majority of the roads would have been completed.
“We have paid the contractors 50 percent of their funds, and they have assured us that they will respect the agreement we entered with them”, he said.
The governor also inspected work at the IIabuchi-Eagle Island road, which the contractor has laid asphalt, and the road is nearing completion.

Taneh Beemene