The Rivers State Government says it decided to embark on critical infrastructure projects in all sectors to enhance the rapid socio-economic development of the state.

The state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike disclosed this during a dinner party at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, in honour of participants of Senior Course 39, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, who were on a Study Tour of Rivers State.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, said Rivers State which was strategic to the nation’s economy, as the hub of the hydrocarbons industry, requires critical infrastructural development to satisfy the yearnings and aspirations of the teeming population.

Wike stated that due to the importance of a good road network to any society, the government soon after its inauguration, decided to fix all roads that were at various degrees of decay through the “Operation Zero Pothole” Campaign.

He explained that the strategy has helped in building and rebuilding of roads not only in Port Harcourt metropolis but all over the state.

“You know that good road network is very important to our people, many of them are farmers, many of them are fishermen and their products have to be transported to the markets on good roads where they will be patronized. That is why we started with the Operation Zero Pothole Campaign when we came into office last year due to the level of decay of our roads”, the governor said.

The state chief executive noted that the government undertook the ongoing rehabilitation of Eleme to Onne Junction axis of the East-West Road even though it is a federal highway in partnership with other stakeholders in view of its economic importance to the state and nation.

He lauded participants of Senior Course 39, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, for their choice of Rivers State for the Study Tour, and charged them to do an objective report of their findings, adding that the state was peaceful and secure for investment.

In his opening remarks, Rivers State Head of Service, Barrister Rufus Godwins, charged the Nigerian military not to interfere in the activities of the civilian populace as such action would negate the discipline, order and strategy which are the hallmarks of the military.

Godwins stated that while some states in the country are grappling with the payment of workers’ salaries, the Wike-led administration was paying salaries to workers in the state civil service as at when due in addition to the execution of people-oriented projects despite the dwindling federal allocation to the state.

The head of service advised the Nigerian military and the police to ensure that the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the state was sustained; expressing the hope that the interactive sessions they had during their Study Tour would assist them in projecting the state in a positive light, contrary to the negative media campaign by the opposition.

Earlier, the Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Air Vice-Marshal Suleiman Abubakar Dambo, had said Rivers State was among 10 states of the federation specially selected for their Study Tour to conduct research and findings on the theme, “Enhancing Socio-Economic Development Through Public, Private, Partnership”, especially in a period of economic recession.

Dambo maintained that the Nigerian military would not derail from its statutory function of protecting the territorial integrity of the nation, and commended Governor Nyesom Wike for the opportunity given them to conduct a successful Study Tour of the state.

He emphasized that the tour has afforded the participants first-hand information about the true state of affairs in Rivers State, and added that their report would reflect their new understanding of the state.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Rivers State chapter, Bro Felix Obuah, has expressed satisfaction over the manner and commitment of the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, in delivering dividends of Democracy to the people of the state, and lauded his various development initiatives, which he said, have entered another phase, aimed at putting the state on the fast lane of development.

The PDP chairman noted that since inception, the Wike-led government in Rivers State has not ceased on its drive to put smiles on the faces of all Rivers people, as this has given new look to the state’s infrastructure, starting with total revamping of moribund public facilities deliberately abandoned by the immediate past administration under Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, construction of new roads and human capacity development in the state.

The initial development projects of the Wike led-government touched all sectors of the economy and public life in the state, including education, sports, security, electricity, water supply, tourism, housing, health, payment of salaries of public servants, as at when due, youths empowerment, restoration of the dignity of the judiciary, as well as respect for the rule of law, harmonious relationship between all arms of government, and return of peace in the state, which has resulted in the influx of investors and international business entrepreneurs into the state, Obuah observed.

He described the commencement of phase two of Wike development projects, which focuses more on giving new lease of life in the rural communities, as people-oriented, and touching directly on the lives of people at the grassroots, adding that it was a step taken in line with the philosophy of the PDP, which believes in giving back to the people what belongs to them.

Obuah, particularly acknowledged the flagging-off of the construction of several gigantic projects in most LGAs and rural communities outside the capital city, which include completion of the abandoned Ogoni – Andoni – Opobo/Nkoro Unity Road; construction of Ulakwor –Afara-Nihi Road; rehabilitation of Okrika internal roads in Okochiri, Okrika; reconstruction of the Igbo- Etche Road, and construction of Chokocho- Umuechem- Ozuzu Road as well as the Elimgbu-Atali Road, all of which would be completed soon.

Expressing confidence in the ability of the governor to deliver all the roads on schedule, Obuah noted that Wike has shamed enemies of the state, who have continued to make efforts to destabilize the state.

Wike, he said, has demonstrated his love for the people of the state and denied himself lots of comfort to ensure he delivers on his campaign promises to the people, adding that he has done this by making the development of the state a non-negotiable priority of his administration.

The PDP chairman reiterated the confidence of members of the party in Wike and members of the New Rivers Vision, assuring continued support and cooperation of the party in the state. He called on the people of the grassroots, and indeed, all Rivers people to reciprocate the exceptional love and gesture extended to them by the Governor with their support.

“One way we all can encourage this apolitical, non-discriminatory, all-sector and people-oriented development efforts of Wike to continue is to vote for all candidates of the PDP in the December 10, 2016, Legislative re-run elections in the state. Doing this will spur him the more, even though he naturally and genuinely conceived and embarked on the numerous projects which have now been brought to our rural doorsteps”, the PDP chairman explained.