The Rivers State Executive Council (SEC) has considered and approved the release of N78billion for the completion of various ongoing projects across sectors and flag-off of new ones.
The approval was given at its meeting presided over by Governor Nyesom Wike at Government House in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic planning, Dr Isaac Kamalu, said the approval was made to ensure that ongoing projects were not left uncompleted by the contractors for lack of funds.
“The Rivers State Government has released the sum of N78billion for payment of ongoing projects and flag off of new projects across all the local government areas in the state.
“Again, the government has specifically released the sum of N1.8billion, representing 80percent of the capital provisions for the Judiciary in the 2022 budget for the services of the Rivers State Judiciary.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Princewill Chike, said the ministry was not left out among ministries to benefit from the release of the funds.
According to him,the contractor handling the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostics and Treatment Centre, has been fully paid.
“You remember in June last year, (2021) N26billion was earmarked for that contract. It’s been completed, well furnished with the most modern medical equipment for the attack of different types of cancers.
“And the other thing that the health sector benefitted is the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital where we have Basic Clinical Faculty and the Clinical Faculty as well as the Renal and Dialysis Centre and the House Officers Quarters, which have also been completed and will be commissioned.”
Chike also said there were other ongoing projects being funded by the state government, including the Kelsey Harrison Hospital, which was at an advance stage as well as the Dental and Maxillofacial Hospital in Port Harcourt, all of which were also at advance stages of completion.
On his part, the Commissioner for Special Projects, Deinma Iyalla, said the ministry had its memo presented to the council approved, and also ratified the sale of the remodelled Riv-Bank Insurance building.
“Currently, the building is known as Senator John Azuta-Mbata House. Access Bank offered to buy the building for the sun of N3.8billion. It cost us N2.8billion to remodel it.
“The essence of the sale of this building, Access Bank promised that they are going to use it as their regional office, which means they will create employment and impact positively on economic activities within Port Harcourt.”
Iyalla also listed other projects to benefit from the released fund to include, the sand-filling and reclamation of 20hectres of land in Ogu town.
According to him, the fund would also serve for the completion of the University of Port Harcourt Convocation Arena, Ataba Secondary School reconstruction and furnishing, Rivers State University Staff Quarters buildings at Ahoada, Etche, Emohua and the main campus.
Other projects for completion are the 13.8km Rumuodogo 1 and 2 Roads, Woji-Aleto-Alesa-Refinery Road, Hostel A and B, and the auditorium at YanagoaCampus of the Nigerian Law School, Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute, Federal Judicial Service Commission liaison office building, South-South in Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner of Education, Prof. ChineduMmom, also addressed journalists, saying that projects under his ministry wouldfurther benefit the people.
The projects, he said, included the Government Secondary School, Eneka; Government Secondary School, Emohua; and the Government Secondary School, Imago in Abua/Odual Local Government.
Other projects include the reconstruction and remodelling of the Kalabari High School, Buguma;Kalabari National College (KNC),Buguma; the external works and furnishing of Western Ahoada High School; Government Secondary School, Ogu that is 90percent complete; and the Community Secondary School, Okoronudo that was 60percent complete.
On his part, the Commissioner for Works, Dr.DakorinamaAlaboGeorge-Kelly, said the council awarded new contracts and approved payment for on-going projects.
“The projects spread across local government areas and senatorial districts of the state. Some of which were approved today by council and some were ratified.”
He said the council approved the contract for the construction of 8.168km Abua-Emoh-Iyak-Ighom; Emoh/Egbolom access road and the 9.2m km Ekagho-Ogboloma-Adada link road in Abua/Odual Local Government Area.
George-Kelly explained that some other new road projects include the Alode-Onne road and Agbonchia-Ogale-Ebebu-East/West road, Alode internal roads in Eleme council; Eneka roundabout-Igbo-Etche link road in Obio-Akpor/Etche councils; Akpabu-Egbeda-Elele-Omoku link road; Akpabu-Odidi link road; Nkpor-Mgbuodohia link road; Elele internal roads; Elekahia internal roads, among others.
The commissioners of works, who reinstated the resolve of the Wike’s administration not to abandon any project it started, further disclosed that the council has approved payment for the on-going Ahoada-Omokudualization project; Omoku-Aligwu-Kirigeni road, Omoku-Egbema road, Okochiri internal roads, Ogoni-Andoni Unity road, Chokocho-Igbodo road, flyover 11 and 12, dualisation of Bori-Kono road and several others.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Chris Finebone, said Wike had approved the appointment of 7,000 Justices of Peace to help ensure the prevalence of peace, law and order within their jurisdiction.
“I am pleased to inform you that the state governor has just approved the appointment of 7,000 Justices of Peace. It has been an all-round approach to development for which our people will be eternally grateful to our hard working governor.”