The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has assured that Phase 1 of the Trans-Kalabari Road project was definitely on course, and would be completed on schedule.
Banigo made this assertion during the commissioning of the Chief Amabibi Don Pedro Compound Memorial Hall in Bakana, last Saturday, as part of the celebration of the first 100 days in office of the Degema Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Michael John Williams.
According to Banigo, “The Trans-Kalabari Road is a project that is very much desired by the Kalabari people, it is a complete breakthrough for them and it is something that will elevate their standard of living”.
The deputy governor poured encomiums on the Degema Local Government Chairman, Hon. Michael John Williams; and his Asari Toru counterpart, Hon. Onengiyeofori George; for emulating the State Chief Executive, Chief Nyesom Wike in the area of project execution, adding that the projects have impacted positively on the lives of the people.
“The chairman of Degema has completed this as part of his 100 days programme, it is one of many projects across Degema, the chairman of Asari Toru, who is here, has also done a lot, and I am very proud of them because the projects are quality projects, they are following the style of Governor Nyesom Wike, Mr Quality Projects. The projects have touched the lives of the people; projects that the people desire, that is why they are rejoicing.”
She described them as true replica of Governor Nyesom Wike, and urged the people to continue to keep the peace to attract more development into the area, stressing that the PDP remains the only hope to rescue Nigeria.
Banigo, said that only council chairmen under the control of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were performing, despite the harsh economy of the country.
“Today, only council chairmen sponsored by our party, PDP, are the ones performing, particularly the Degema Local Government chairman, even though we hear there is no money in the country.
“He is working and following the footsteps of our workaholic Governor, the Mr. Quality Projects; Chief Nyesom Wike, that is why we call him ‘Wike’s Son Number One.’
“Today, we are still celebrating his first 100 Days in office with so many projects littered across the LGA, imagine what he would do as he continues.
“We are grateful to God for giving us a chairman, who loves his people and is doing everything to unite the party and the various communities,” she added.
Banigo thanked party and community leaders in Bakana for maintaining peace in the area, stressing that only a peaceful community would attract development.
She emphasised that politics should bring about, unity, peace and development, warning that any political party that fails to promote the above ideals should not be entrusted with the people’s mandate.
Commenting on the newly built edifice, the deputy governor noted that it was first of its kind, as it was very unique and iconic.
She stated that the Wike-led administration meant well for the Kalabari people, that was why it commenced the historic Trans-Kalabari Road Project, which would be completed within next year, as well as embarking on several other projects in Kalabari land, including the soon-to-be commissioned ultra-modern secondary school in Bakana.
The first female deputy governor in Rivers State, while drumming support for the administration of the council chairman, urged the people to remain resolute in their support for the PDP, as that was the only party that would deliver without excuses.
Earlier, a Second Republic politician and Chief in Pedro’s Compound, Chief Hon. Levy Braide, disclosed that he and others recently ditched their former party; the APC for the PDP, owing to the superlative performances of the Council Chairman at the LGA and Governor Wike at the State levels, adding; “now we have what to campaign with.”
Braide, who represented Degema Constituency in the State Assembly and later became Commissioner for Works in the Chief Melford Okilo administration, expressed joy that what he had planned to do for the compound over 40 years ago, but failed to achieve, had been accomplished by Hon. Michael John Williams–a proud son of the compound, in just about three months of his administration.
He added; “the projects we are seeing everywhere across Degema today is a clear statement that Michael John Williams is the David that God ordained to give Bakana and the entire Degema LGA a facelift.”
While thanking the governor for commencing the first phase of the Trans-Kalabari Road, Braide, appealed to the governor to kindly consider Bakana and Ogurama communities in the second phase, as according to him, the people were experiencing great difficulty accessing their communities, especially as they have to spend several hours struggling with tankers along the Abonnema Wharf road at a great risk to their lives.
He added that in the alternative, a pontoon system could be established by the state government with internal roads, to address the avoidable losses of lives due to boat mishaps.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon. Michael John Williams, who disclosed that he would continue to execute projects that would make the governor proud and impact positively on the lives of the citizenry, described Bakana as a peaceful community.
He expressed gratitude to the deputy governor for leading him to Christ whom he said was his foundation.
Williams stated that during the campaigns, he assured the people of the LGA that the PDP administration under Governor Nyesom Wike would not put them to shame.
He disclosed that when his administration commenced the project, naysayers expressed doubts about its completion, but to the glory of God it was completed within the first 100 days of the administration
Williams eulogised the deputy governor for her motherly role in his life and political career, assuring that his administration would not let her and the people of Degema down, but would continue to do more to better the LGA.
Earlier, the PDP Chairman, Degema Local Government Area, Hon. Peter Abbey had said he was proud of the developmental strides of the council chairman, noting that the people of the area made no mistakes in electing Hon. Michael John Williams into office.
Abbey, who is also the chairman of the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) in DELGA, stated that Bakana and the entire LGA were not regretting in voting for Hon. Williams, adding that the PDP leadership, both in the LGA and state levels were proud of the sterling performance of the DELGA council boss.
He said the deputy governor honoured the invitation to come and commission the project because she knew that her son had delivered, assuring that; “what you are seeing here today is just a tip of the iceberg, more is on the way.”
Highpoint of the day was presentation of a portrait to the council chairman by youths of the Amabibi Don Pedro Compound, in appreciation of his kind gesture.
There were cultural displays from Iria dance group and others to entertain guests.
The occasion was attended by dignitaries across the state, including the Special Guest of Honour; the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo; the DELGA Council Chairman, Hon. Michael John Williams; and his Vice, Mrs. Maureen Harry; Chairman of Asari-Toru LGA, Hon. Onengiyeofori George; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Roland Obed-Whyte.
Others include; PDP Chairman in DELGA, Hon. Peter Abbey, his predecessors; Hon. Elias Davies; and Hon. Tonye Tyger; former caretaker committee chairman of DELGA, Mrs. Okorite Adiele; and former Commissioner for Special Duties in Rivers State, Dr. Emily Solomon.
The rest include Leader of the Degema Legislative Assembly, Hon. Johnson Eugene; councillors across the 17 wards of the LGA, chiefs, top functionaries and other appointees of the council, PDP chairmen across the 17 wards of the LGA, party chieftains, amongst others.