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We’ve Approached Governance With Human Face, Wike Affirms
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike says he has approached governance with human face through ambitious investment in basic infrastructure and creation of the necessary environment for economic growth in the state.
The governor has also maintained that the enormous infrastructural achievements recorded by his administration have been made possible by the prudent management of state resources.
Wike stated this after inspection of the ongoing construction of Rumuepirikom, Rumuola, G.R.A Junction, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo flyovers; dualisation of Ezimgbu Road and Tombia Road Extension in Port Harcourt, last Monday.
He said the state government and the contractor, Julius Berger, have agreed to make some adjustments on the Nkpolu-Oroworukwo flyover due to some buildings affecting the construction work.
“We have told the Ministry of Works to let the valuer come over within the next one week to value some of the property still remaining, which are obstructing the construction.”
He explained that his administration in a bid to infuse human face into governance has embarked on a development model that is both sustainable and inclusive.
According to him, there was no local government area in the state that the government has not invested huge resources in construction of schools, hospitals, roads and other critical infrastructure.
“How I wish I had all the time to do everything. It would have been my pleasure, that in my time every community in the state could say I was able to touch them.”
The governor, who expressed optimism that the Rumuola, G.R.A Junction flyovers as well as the dualisation of Ezimgbu Road and Tombia Road Extension in Port Harcourt would be completed in a few weeks, disclosed that the state government would embark on another round of commissioning of projects, beginning from the end of September to second week of October.
The governor attributed the modest infrastructural achievements recorded in the state to the passion and commitment of his administration to transform the state to major national economic hub in the country.
Wike noted that his political opponents, who boasted that his administration would not make any meaningful impact in the state when he first assumed office, are today stunned because he has surpassed their expectation.
“One key thing that is important in any government is that if the leadership is weak, you don’t achieve anything. But if the leadership is strong, like ours is very strong, we have the political will to do whatever we say we will do.”
He reiterated that he will not abandon any project awarded by his administration for his successor to finish.
He further added that he would not stop working and delivering projects in the state till May 29, 2023, when his tenure would end.
“Every project we have awarded, we must complete them. I am not going to abandon any project for my successor. I don’t want anybody to leverage on the problems that he met. Let it be that I have been able to solve the problems I created for myself”.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.