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.