Ogoni Dev: Wike Slams Abe …Pledges To Support Police

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has reiterated his desire to give even development to all parts of the state.
He made the pledge while addressing a huge crowd of Ogoni people at Bodo Town, ,Gokana Local Government Area, Wednesday, during an inspection of abandoned projects by the immediate past administration in the area.
He said, “just like I love Ikwerre people, that is how I love Ogoni people. When I was a Minister, I attracted projects to Ikwerre land.
I also attracted N500million fund to Kenule Beeson SaroWiwa Polytechnic,Bori. As a governor, am committed to development projects across the state and the proofs are everywhere.”
He accused Senator Magnus Abe of embezzling  funds meant for the construction  of  critical  roads and primary schools in Ogoni land,  declaring that he will complete the Kpopie-Bodo City Road deliberately abandoned  by the Former Secretary to the  Rivers State Government.
He added that his administration is also upgrading facilities and equipment  at the Bori Zonal  General Hospital which was also neglected  by the  immediate past APC government in the state.
The governor  said that  his projects in Ogoni land are targeted at  empowering the people  and keeping his campaign  pledges,  unlike the immediate past administration that  denied the people  development  projects  even after releasing  funds for same.
Contrary to the falsehood  being  peddled by Senator Magnus Abe, the governor explained that the Sakpenwa-Bori Road  is being constructed  by CCECC, an internationally  recognised company  that executed the Abuja-Kaduna Light Rail project.
The governor  also submitted  that  CCECC won the bid to construct  the road, adding  that  his administration  works with first grade road construction  companies  like Julius Berger, Setraco, CGC and CCECC  to deliver  development  to the people.
He said: “The former administration gave Senator  Magnus Abe a contract of over N4billion to construct  this Kpopie-Bodo City  Road and  he embezzled the money. I am here to physically  inspect this road. I hereby direct the State Ministry  of Works to complete the road,
“It is unfortunate  that  he abandoned the Bodo section of the road because  of his dislike for Bodo people. I have also directed  that the road be fitted with street lights for beautification  ”
He added that the former Federal Lawmaker  wasted for years in the Senate without  attracting development  to his people, noting  that he will  never  get the votes of the people because  of  his anti-people politics.
“I have disgraced the immediate past administration of APC  in Rivers State by working  where they failed  to work. I have reached  out to Ogoni  people  through  projects that is why they are pained by the acceptance  we enjoy. I will continue  to  develop Ogoni  land  and ensure  that  the  people enjoy the benefits of good  governance  denied  them by the immediate past APC administration  where Senator Magnus Abe played a prominent  role in defrauding Rivers State “, the  governor said.
The governor  said  steps will be taken to address the issue of embezzlement  of  state funds by the  Rivers State APC leaders.
In his  remarks, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Architect Harrison Iheanyichukwu said his ministry  will start the reconstruction of the 6.9 kilometre road in the course of the week.
An indigene of the area and Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani said  the  people  are appreciative of Governor Wike’s commitment  to  their  development.
Meanwhile, Governor  Wike says the State Government will give the Nigeria Police the necessary support and backing on the ongoing arms mop-up exercise in the state.
He made the declaration when he received the new Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Francis Mobolaji Odesanya on Wednesday in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Chief Wike commended the new Rivers State police boss for starting on a good note urged him to sustain the tempo saying, “ do your job effectively and if anybody is involved please do not look back. Don’t give politicians the opportunity to mount pressure on you.”
The governor reiterated that the current success recorded in curbing crimes and returning peace to the state must be sustained, while emphasising the need for the police to be proactive.
Chief Wike further advised the State police chief and his men to be apolitical during  the  forthcoming  rerun elections  as the people of the state will  resist  any plot to use instruments  of State to rig elections .
He noted that the police  should  work  professionally to create the right atmosphere for the  people  to exercise  their franchise without molestation.
The governor stated : “If anyone  uses instruments of State to rig elections,  we will  not fold our hands”.
He reminded the police of the  need to weed out compromised officers with political  affiliation,  pointing  out  that  he has written to the Inspector-General of Police on the issue.
Governor Wike maintained  that  the  state government  will  continue  to  support the police to fight crime at all levels.
“For the past one year, we have bought over 100 vehicles for security  agencies. We will  always support  the police  to improve  security.
“We have  to work together  to  fight crime. I am happy  with  the  level of  policing  in the state which has reduced  the level  of  crime”, Governor Wike said.
The governor  announced that the state government  will  supply  additional  vehicles  to the police. He also directed the local government councils in the state to provide logistics  support to police divisions  across the state.
Earlier,  the Rivers State Commissioner of Police,  Mr Francis Mobolaji Odesanya said  that  the  police under his leadership will  ensure the mop up of arms to promote  security of lives and property.
He said  that Rivers State will not be home  to crimes as measures are being implemented  to root them out.
He assured the people of the state  that he will be apolitical and professional  in the discharge  of  his duties.
The new commissioner of Police is the fifth  police chief working with Governor Wike since he  assumed duty on May 29, 2015.