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We Know Candidates Who Don’t Mean Well For Nigeria, Wike Declares …Promises To Remodel GSS, Eneka …As Ariolu Appeals To RSG To Fix SARS Road
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that some politicians canvassing for votes to win 2023 presidential election do not mean well for the country.
The governor maintained that he is in a privileged position to know better, and will reveal their identities at the appropriate time so that Nigerians can use their votes to reject them.
Wike spoke at the flag-off of internal roads at Rumuesara, Eneka town in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, held last Monday.
“Some other people are busy, putting themselves together on how they will take over leadership in Nigeria to loot the remaining ones this other people have already kept.
“I’m privileged to know and at the appropriate time I’ll tell you who these people are. You need to know what is happening in Nigeria. Forget about all these people running around saying they want to rescue or save you (Nigeria). Just watch to see what is going to happen next.
“All of us should be calm concerning what is happening in PDP. In fact, nothing has happened yet. But by the grace of God, something will happen.”
Wike, pointed out that while his administration continues to flag-off and inaugurate projects for Rivers people, detractors keep sponsoring negative media campaigns against him.
The governor stated that despite such negative media comments, his administration has not relented in offering good governance to strengthen the relationship with the people of Rivers State.
“Look at us concentrating in giving our people good governance. What is good governance? Good governance is making the people to be happy. Good governance is providing infrastructure for the people. Good governance is not about party. Providing good governance is about leadership. We are here every day flagging off projects, commissioning projects, even though our tenure is coming to an end.”
Wike noted how difficult it would be for seasonal politicians who have never done anything to better the lot of Rivers electorate to come to them and solicit their votes.
“Now that I have come to Eneka to provide this basic infrastructure, I can come back to Eneka and ask you to follow me, let us go there or let us stay here. Do they have what it takes to come and talk to you? Can they come and talk to you?
“It is somebody that hears from you that you have also heard from. This one you’ve not provided anything for my people, you’ve not asked them what they want, then, you want to tell them where to vote.
“So, it is us that will come and meet you and say see where you’ll vote. And I know based on our relationship, since we have not deceived you, we have not told you lies, you will follow us at the appropriate time.”
Speaking further, Wike said Eneka fills a strategic place in his educational and political success story, which was why he could not abandon its people.
“My life, my political story cannot be complete without mentioning Eneka. Those who know me very well know that Educationally, Eneka has impacted me, politically, Eneka has impacted me. Your son, Senator John AzutaMbata was the person who sponsored me first to be chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council.
“It was the Chairman of Rivers State Universal Basic Education Authority, VenFinefaceAkah, who drew my attention to the deplorable state of the roads in Rumuesara Community. I promised to construct these internal roads. Today, we are starting it, by the grace of God, we will come back to commission it in five months’ time,” the governor added.
The Rivers State governor also used the occasion to announce that Government Secondary School, Eneka would be remodelled by his administration next month.
“If there is one school that should be transformed into a standard school in this state, that school is Government Secondary School, Eneka. Just go home and sleep, what you will see in this coming month in GSS Eneka will shock you,” he said.
Wike promised that his administration will soon commence reconstruction work at the secondary school in a bid to transform it into a modern standard learning facility.
He urged those who have encroached and developed structures on the land to vacate the premises to avoid the wrath of the state government.
The governor used the occasion to rename the Igwurata-Eneka Road to Sam AzutaMbata Road, and promised that the state government would accord due recognition to the paramount ruler of Eneka before the end of his tenure in 2023.
Providing the project description, the state Commissioner for Works, Dr.DaxAlaboGeorge-Kelly, explained that the road project would be 5.3km long with approximately 9km of drains.
“This road project will be 5.3km long, out of the 5.3km, 4.7km will be purely flexible pavement with an asphaltic concrete. About 700m will be a composite pavement, that is a combination of rigid and flexible pavement because of the core geotechnical characteristics of the soil.
“The project will have approximately 9km of drains because there are areas where we will have two side drains. Where we have a minimum of 9m width, we will have two sides drains, where we have less than 8m width, we are going to have one side drains.
“The completion period for this project is 5 months and we expect that the contractor will be able to deliver as scheduled with the specified quality,” the commissioner added.
In his remarks, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Barrister George Ariolu, thanked Wike for extending such road infrastructure to Eneka people, which will invariably boost socio-economic activities in the area.
Ariolu called on the Rivers State Government to intervene in the deplorable state of the SARS Road in Rukpokwu to further ease free flow of vehicular movement and improve economic activities in the area.
He said the rehabilitation of the road would reduce gridlock on the ongoing flyover construction along Rumuola-Rumuokwuta and Mgbuoba-Location Junction.
Ariolu said the SARS Road, when rehabilitated, would serve as a veritable link road to ease traffic for people living within the Rukpokwu and Eneka axis of Obio/Akpor.
He described the governor’s visit to Eneka as homecoming, adding that the community through the construction of the road would be enlisted as one of the beneficiaries of the dividends of democracy that the governor has given to the people of the State.
According to Ariolu, the chronicle of Governor NyesomWike’s educational attainment cannot be complete without mentioning Government Secondary School, Eneka, and entire Eneka town.
He explained further that the school in no small measure contributed to the growth of the Rivers State governor in the political affairs of Nigeria, adding that the construction of the Sam AzutaMbata link road was deserving of the Eneka people.
Ariolu, who expressed joy over the construction of the road, commended Wike for the tactical display of his wrestling prowess during his days at Government Secondary School, Eneka.
Appreciating the governor’s efforts, Ariolu explained that the road construction would boost economic activities in the area as well as ameliorate the perennial flooding that has bedevilled the community.
The managing director of L & D Nigeria Ltd, the contractor handling the project, thanked Rivers State Government for finding them worthy of such task.
He assured the governor that the project would be completed in line with the specifications.
The groundbreaking ceremony had in attendance top government functionaries, political leaders, traditional rulers and religious leaders.
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Don’t Panic, We’ll Protect Rivers Interest -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has told the people of the State not to panic and be rest assured of the determination of his administration to protect lives and property of residents while improving the collective aspirations of the people.
Fubara gave the assurance when he addressed members of the Family Support Group, who were on solidarity visit to Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday to declare their unalloyed support to his administration.
Family Support Group is an assemblage of well-meaning Rivers youths, men and women drawn from the three Senatorial Districts and 23 local government areas, with the core aim of protecting, promoting and defending the interests of Rivers State.
The governor, who was represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, said that the government is for the youths, women, men and every well-meaning Nigerian who wish the State well.
He assured that his administration would not disappoint their expectations, but would deliver good governance and quality services across all sectors.
Fubara said it was gratifying to see ebullient youths showing undying interest in government, and were also willing to defend their votes, and see him completing his tenure without interruption.
The governor explained that so many development projects had been completed and opened for public use with many others like the Port Harcourt Ring Road still actively ongoing.
He specifically noted the readiness of the administration to flag off construction of phase two of the real Trans-Kalabari Road from Port Harcourt through Tombia to other communities; and the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
“The whole land of Rivers State stands in affirmation that we won the election fairly, and deserve to serve out our full tenure. There is not going to be anything that will cut short the popular mandate that you all gave to this Administration.
“Just about within weeks of assuming office, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, flagged-off the Port Harcourt Ring Road project that will transverse six local governments. It will be completed within 36 months, but I think it will be completed before the time, because the progress of work we have seen is beyond what we were thinking.
“The Trans-Kalabari Road, very soon, the official main Trans-Kalabari Road will start, and will begin from Port Harcourt. That road, a lot of plans have been done, very soon, you will see contractors on site, and Rivers State will be opened.
“Just yesterday, you heard in the news also that the Governor has commenced the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road. That road was initially done with one lane, but now, he is going to dualise it. The Government has already awarded the contract”, he said.
Fubara emphasised that his administration is pro-youth and pro-human beings, and determined to maintain that level of empathy and inclusivity that offers succour to the people.
“I, therefore, want to thank you for the promise you have made, and I want you to remain unshakable. Keep your word of defending him at all times.
“When you hear anything outside, be bold, defend the Governor, and tell the people the things you know about him. Tell them what you know he has done to develop the State and the people”, he stated.
In his address, the President General of Family Support Group, Mr Henry Abraham, recalled that during the 2023 elections, they were encouraged to vote and defend their votes because the process was violence-free and credible.
“When we defend our votes, we will also defend the man we voted for. We are Family Support Group, Rivers State belongs to all of us. Rivers State is not a personal estate of one man, it’s for all Rivers people.
“Sir Siminalayi Fubara, stand firm. Family Support Group is with you. All the wards’ coordinators are with you. All the wards’ executives are with you. All the LGA coordinators are with you. All the officers of the National Executive Committee are with you. All our leaders are with you, and the PDP is with you,” he assured.
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11 GDI Coordinators Declare Support For Fubara
The support base for the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, swelled up on Wednesday when 11 Ward Coordinators of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of the State pledged unalloyed support and loyalty to his administration.
Ahoada East, which is the local government area of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie, has a total of 13 electoral wards.
The 11 GDI Coordinators, who were in Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday on solidarity visit, said that they have now realised that they had been deceived and misled in the past few months, and decided to retrace their steps, and join the mass of Rivers people to defend and protect their votes and mandate freely given to Governor Fubara.
The coordinators, who were received by the Chief of Staff, Dr Edison Ehie, pledged to mobilise all their supporters and associates to give the State Government the necessary support and encouragement to deliver good governance and sustainable development to Rivers people.
They said that having watched the actions and policy direction of the governor, they have come to the realisation that sitting on the fence while detractors undermine the government was not in the best interest of the State.
The coordinators, who were accompanied by the former LGA Coordinator of GDI, Hon. Christian Abu, and Ahoada East LGA Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Handsome Ekelechi Agile, said that they were resolute in their decision to join millions of well-meaning Rivers people who had solidified their membership of the SIMplified Movement to protect and defend the governor in the face of unwarranted attacks and campaign of calumny.
They said that with their movement to the SIMplified Family, the GDI structure in Ahoada East has completely collapsed.
They warned that anybody fighting the governor and the Chief of Staff would incur the wrath of the land.
In his remarks, Hon. Ehie assured the coordinators of the State government’s commitment to the wellbeing of all Rivers people and the consolidation of the gains of the infrastructure revolution of the administration.
He said that the Fubara-led government was operating an open door policy and running an inclusive administration, assuring that every Rivers man and woman will be touched positively by the actions, policies, and programmes of the government.
The GDI Coordinators included Chinwe Okorji representing Ward 1; Henry Uhor for Ward 2; Hon. Muzan Otuza of Ward 3; Hon. Elvis Ishikaku representing Ward 4; and Hon. Johnson Monday of Ward 5.
Others are Mr. Evidence Adi for Ward 6; Emmanuel Ochu of Ward 7; Hon. Fidelis Ikebuluwa representing Ward 8; Martins Odoi of Ward 9; Hon. Mackson Ekpeye representing Ward 10; Hon. Ambrose Ile for Ward 12.
With this development, the leadership of GDI at the Ward and LG levels have now dumped the group to join the Governor in efforts to transform the State.
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Fubara Recommits To Human Capacity Building In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed the determination of his administration to build and strengthen the capacity of workers in the State’s Civil Service.
The governor said this during a meeting held behind closed doors in Government House, Port Harcourt, with the national leadership of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Chartered, yesterday.
After the meeting, leader of the delegation and National President of NIM, Dr. Christiana Atako, told newsmen that Governor Fubara, a fellow of the Institute and astute manager, excited them with his plans on human capital development and other development initiatives.
Dr. Atako, who is also the Chairman of Council of NIM said, “In fact, he was talking so much about the civil service. I have told you that one of our strengths is to develop capacity of the workforce, and we told him that we are interested in the civil service of this State.
“We are interested in building capacity of the workforce because we believe that if you have the right workforce, you’ll be able to have successful system. And if you have a successful system, leadership will be very easy.”
She emphasised that, “And when we told him, he bought the idea. He said he was happy about that. He wants a situation where, apart from the infrastructure that he was putting in place, he also wants to build the capacity of the people.”
Atako stated that as an Institute, they were impressed with the giant strides of the leadership of the governor, the many infrastructural projects, both ongoing and completed, including the welfare packages for civil servants, particularly the Christmas bonus of N100, 000.00.
She pointed out the distinguishing attributes of a great and good leader, which include exhibiting empathy and motivating the workers to become more productive, which she said, were evident in the leadership shown by Governor Fubara.
Atako said they also informed the governor of their forthcoming annual national conference slated to hold in Port Harcourt, which is always used to discuss issues that are of interest to the growth and development of the country.
Those in the delegation were Registrar/Chief Executive of NIM, Mrs Taiwo Olusesi; former National Vice President, Dame Christie Toby; Council Members, Engr. Beniah Ojum; Prof. Sylva Opuala-Charles; Zonal Chairman and Chairman LOC NIM ANMC, Pastor Eyo Okpo-Ene; former National Treasurer, Chief Grant Orugbani; and Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, His Imperial Majesty, Kelvin N. Anugwo.
Others are former Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly and Member LOC NIM ANMC, Rt. Hon. Marshall Stanley-Uwom; AGM, Hotel Presidential, Mr. Rex Yakpogoro; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Engr. Eze Egwurugwu; Sir Mike Elechi; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Dr. Kelechi Belinda Udeogu; Secretary, South South Zone and Secretary LOC NIM ANMC, Mr. Christian U. Abu; Emeritus Professor Simeon Chituru Achinehu.
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