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Elelenwo People Honour Wike Over Dev Projects Delivery
Leaders and people of Elelenwo community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, last Saturday, conferred on Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, the title: “Eze Omekweli Kimbom of Elelenwo”.
Roughly translated, the prestigious title means: “A King that develops the land of Elelenwo”.
Speaking during the reception for the governor, Nyeweli of Elelenwo, Eze Sunny Weli Chukwu declared September 14 as Elelenwo Day when the development agenda of Governor Wike for the area would be remembered by the people.
Chukwu said: “Henceforth, September 14 will be celebrated as Elelenwo Day. Each time we celebrate this day, we shall remember Governor Wike for turning around the fortunes of this community”.
Spokesman of Elelenwo community, Chief Collins Amadi, said that the people of Elelenwo community resolved to honour Governor Wike because of commitment to the development of the area.
He said the Rumuokwurusi-Elelenwo-Akpajo Road was a nightmare, which destroyed the economy of the community and led to the closure of businesses.
The monarch explained that by developing a dual carriageway, Wike has revived the Elelenwo community and empowered the people.
Responding, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike expressed happiness that the people of Elelenwo community have always supported him all through his political career.
“Elelenwo people have always supported my political growth. They have always taken steps to ensure that we make the desired progress. Elelenwo community has great children who are good and committed people”, he said.
He explained that he agreed to accept the chieftaincy as a mark of respect to leaders and people of the area, who stand firm to defend his political progress.
Wike said: “I don’t usually accept chieftaincy titles, but I had to accept that of Elelenwo because of their consistent support”.
In recognition of the support of the Elelenwo community, Wike upgraded the stool of Nyeweli Elelenwo to a second class status.
Wike also granted the request of the community for the construction of a major police station inside the RSTV compound.
The governor reiterated that he would continue to work for the rapid growth of Rivers State.
He said his commitment to the development of Rivers State was his only reward to the people for the continued support.
However, residents of Rumukwurusi, Elelenwo and Akpajo communities in Obio/Akpor and Eleme local government areas, last Saturday, trooped out to celebrate Governor Nyesom Wike for the dualisation of the magnificent 5.6-kilometre Rumukwurusi-Elelenwo–Akpajo Road.
School children, mothers, traders and religious groups lined up the road, singing the praise of Wike, who intervened when the area was cut off from the rest of Rivers State.
Commissioning the road, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said many residents of the area would have forgotten the deplorable nature of the road linking the two local government areas.
He said the immediate past administration refused to construct the road because of some prominent Indigenes of the area.
The governor said: “People will easily forget the very deplorable condition of this road before we intervened. Today, Julius Berger through consistent funding by the state government has delivered one of the best qualities of roads.
“The previous administration refused to construct the road because some prominent Elelenwo indigenes lived around here. Specifically, the former Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Iche Ndu and House of Representatives member, Kingsley Chinda”.
He expressed surprise that after the construction of the road, a traditional ruler from the area who thought he would not get re-elected, joined the opposition to play negative politics.
The Rivers State governor formally renamed the Rumukwurusi-Elelenwo–Akpajo Road as Justice Iche Ndu Road in honour of the former chief judge of Rivers State.
In a project description, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr Walter Ndu, said the 5.6-kilometre road has five roundabouts and ducts for telecommunication companies to set up their facilities.
In his remarks, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon Solomon Eke, said that the people of the two local government areas were happy with the Rivers State Government for delivering on the project.
Eke said that Eleme and Obio/Akpor local government councils would not allow anyone to throw refuse on the median of the road.
Traditional dance troupes from Eleme and Obio/Akpor LGAs entertained guests at the commissioning programme.
News
RSG Cancels ?134BN Secretariat Contract, Orders Refund Of ?20BN Mobilisation … Revalidates Four Projects
The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ?134bn contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex by the State of Emergency Administration.
The council directed the immediate refund of the ?20bn mobilization fee already paid to the contractor.
Relatedly, the Council also approved the revalidation of the bidding processes for four contracts, consisting of the renovation of the State Secretariat Complex, construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in several riverine communities of Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas. The projects earlier advertised for which bid documents were cancelled by the Emergency Administration and fees returned to the companies that had earlier purchased them.
The decisions were reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, and presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Briefing newsmen, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart explained that the contracts had been awarded in a hasty manner without following due process. He said the council, therefore, approved the revalidation of the bidding process for all four contracts that were earlier advertised in national dailies on February 19, 2025.
With the revalidation process now on, Dr. Ezekiel-Hart stated that a fresh bidding will be advertised in newspapers for competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.
He listed the projects to include, “The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation of Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area in Rivers State. The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
“The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area. The renovation, retrofitting and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex,” he added.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, announced that the council approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the creation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.
She explained that the initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s directive that beginning in 2026, all examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will be computer-based.
The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, has the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications and Commissioner for Energy as members. Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu said the move will prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the quality of education across the state.
On issues of employment, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council reviewed ongoing efforts to create jobs for Rivers youths. He disclosed that his ministry has been directed to develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment, noting that the government is determined to open up more opportunities for the young population.
“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said. “We know our Governor, when he makes a promise, he ensures it is fulfilled.”
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said council also deliberated extensively on the recent flash floods experienced in some parts of the state. He said the council directed immediate remedial intervention to address the situation, and cautioned residents against the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and building on waterways, which worsens flooding.
Dr. Sirawoo further noted that Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the development of Rivers State and determined to accelerate the pace of governance despite time lost. He added that the administration’s renewed focus and energy will soon place Rivers State firmly back on the path of sustainable growth and progress.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the completion of the 62.650km Port Harcourt Ring Road project, despite the setbacks that have slowed its progress.
The Governor gave the assurance during an on-site inspection tour of the project on Monday, where he emphasised that the state government remains resolute in its determination to deliver the massive infrastructure for public use.
Addressing journalists at the Eneka Flyover axis of the project, Governor Fubara stated that his visit was to verify the level of compliance and commitment shown by the construction firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
Governor Fubara noted that discussions with the contractor had been ongoing to ensure that work resumes at full capacity after a period of financial challenges that affected the project’s continuity.
“You are aware that this project was, I won’t say abandoned, but somehow, for lack of funds, the contractor withdrew from the site. We have been discussing with them, and they gave me their word that although we have not finished all the discussions, they have already moved back to site, and I’m here to confirm that.”
The Governor described the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, which traverses six local government areas, as one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the state’s history, noting that its completion would not only ease traffic congestion in the capital city but also stimulate economic activities across multiple local government areas.
Governor Fubara reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue prioritising infrastructure development as a foundation for economic growth and social progress.
“I want to make this promise to our good people of Rivers State,” the Governor declared. “This project that we started, by the special grace of God, we are going to complete it. We owe our people a responsibility to deliver on our commitments, and this project will not be an exception,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the 2025 Batch B, Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the State, to use the NYSC skill acquisition training programme to build capacity.
Governor Fubara gave the charge on Tuesday when he declared closed, the 2025 Batch B Stream II orientation exercise in the State.
Represented by the newly sworn-in Secretary to the State Government and Chairman NYSC State Governing Board, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, Governor Fubara enjoined the Corps members to embrace skill acquisition wholeheartedly in order to elevate themselves as wealth creators and employers of labour.
“Take Rivers State as your home. Be assured of the warmth, hospitality, and accommodating disposition of the good of our people at all times.
“Take the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development post camp training very seriously and equip yourselves with the capacity to compete favourably in the nation’s huge economic space,” he stressed.
The Governor called on the Corps members to see their mobilization into the NYSC Scheme as a fundamental way to provide humanitarian services.
“Remember that you owe it to yourself, family, and the nation, the responsibility to serve selflessly and honourably,” he admonished.
In his farewell address, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Moses Oleghe appealed to the Corps members to use the opportunity of the service year to discover their true purpose.
He further encouraged them to embody selfless service and empathy in serving the people.
The colourful ceremony witnessed a vibrant parade.