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2023: No Identified Treasury Looter’ll Be Rivers’ Gov, Wike Cautions …Vows To Prosecute Amaechi, Cole …As RSG, Julius Berger Sign Contract For Two Flyovers, Azikiwe-Iloabuchi Road
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared that Rivers people were resolved to resist individuals who have looted assets of the state from presiding over them as governor.
The resolve, Wike pointed out, was predicated on the desire to safeguard the state from those who were only interested in looting the commonwealth of Rivers people.
Wike made the assertion, yesterday, shortly after signing the contract for the construction of the 11th and 12th flyover bridges, and the dualisation of Azikiwe Street-Illoabuchi Road in Port Harcourt, between the state government and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at the Rivers State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The Rivers State governor said such looters were desperate to cover their track of crime and Rivers people would not allow such people who do not have the interest of the state at heart to take over its affairs.
“This state must be guarded. We cannot allow people who don’t have the interest of this state to take over the affairs of this state; people who have looted the treasury of the state clearly.”
Wike explained that genuine lovers of the state should be the ones presenting themselves to serve the state as governor not looters.
The governor pointed to former governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi; and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Rivers governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, as persons clearly identified to have looted the state.
“They can run helter-skelter to stop their arraignment, but they must be arraigned and tried. What Rivers people will hear, Rivers people will be shocked to know what the former governor of the state and minister did in this state with his partner, Tonye Cole.
“If they (Amaechi and Cole) like, let them bring 500 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, they will face the trial. So that Nigerians will hear, Rivers people will see how this state was looted.
“Anybody can be governor, but not those we have identified that have looted the state’s treasure. If we can do 12 flyovers from 2019 to now with the little amount of money we are getting, imagine what the previous administration would have done.
“If the previous administration that had a lot of money had done them, we would have concentrated on other things. But we are still working within the city to change its landscape.”
Wike remarked that his style of politics and governance was clearly different from other politicians who take the people for granted and hardly fulfil promises they make.
He maintained that the good of Rivers people and the state remain the priority of his administration, which was why more projects were still being awarded as he prepares to leave office on May 29, 2023.
“So, we are very proud that this administration has kept all the promises made to the people. So, it gives us joy. Some people would have said: why not go with the money.
“But I asked, how much money can you make? What can you amass as against the interest of the people? So, for us, we are very happy, and anybody who is working with this administration can carry his shoulder high that we have made a difference as far as governance is concerned.”
Speaking further, Wike explained that payment for some of the ongoing projects has almost be completed with the inauguration of more projects in view.
“We have finished paying for the first phase of the Trans-Kalabari Road. We have finished paying for the dualisation of Bori-Kono Road. We have finished paying for the Ada George- Rumuepirikom flyover. We have almost finished paying for the first phase of Ahoada Road.”
Wike told the construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, that excuses would not be tolerated from them because 80percent of the contract sum has been released to the company with the monthly N2billion irrevocable standing order of payment.
The governor also commended leaders of the state for the immense support that they have given to his administration to succeed.
In his speech, Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr. Lars Richter, said the contract they have signed with the Rivers State Government was for two new flyover bridges that would be completed in 10 months, and the dualisation of Azikiwe Street-llloabuchi Road in six months.
“You set on your own record of 10 flyovers, but now, you beat your own record to make it 12 flyovers. I think that this is big challenge but you will surmount. We have completed and commissioned six flyovers.Three more are near completion stage; one ongoing, which shows the confidence that the state government has in Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.”
Earlier, the state government and Julius Berger Plc had signed contract for the construction of the 11th and 12th flyover bridges as well as the dualisation of Azikiwe-Iloabuchi Road in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The contract was for the construction of Rumuokwuta/Rumuola Flyover, Mgbuoba/Ada George (Location Junction) Flyover, as well as the dualisaion of Azikiwe-Iloabuchi Road.
Attorney-General and Honourable Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, Honourable Commissioner for Works, Dr. George-Kelly D. Alabo, and the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Works signed the contract papers on behalf of Rivers State Government, while the managing director of Julius Berger and its South-South coordinator signed on behalf of the construction giant.
The 11th flyover sited at Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Junction is 1.007km, while the 12th flyover at Location Junction is 927m.
Azikiwe Street-Iloabuchi Road dual carriage way is 1.03km x 2.
The flyover projects are expected to be completed in 10 months, while the dualisation of Azikiwe-Iloabuchi Road would be achieved in six months.
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RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans
Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.
Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.
He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”
The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.
Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.
He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.
“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.
“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.
The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.
He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.
The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“
“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.
She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,
expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.
“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”
He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.
The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.
The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.
According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.
APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.
The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.
Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.
Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.
Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.
Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.
The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.
Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas
Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.
National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.
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