Wike: Kudos For More Legacy Projects

Rivers State Government has, again, embarked on another round of critical infrastructure commissioning across the State. A programme of activities released by the state Ministry of Works reveals that the first round of the projects’ inauguration commenced on Monday, November 14, and to end on Friday, December 2, 2022. Governor Nyesom Wike inaugurated the newly built Dr Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Diagnostic Treatment Centre in Port Harcourt last Monday.
According to the programme, the landmark projects, cutting across all 23 local government areas of the state, would begin at 11 am each day. The projects listed for inauguration included the gigantic Rumuepirikom Flyover Bridge, constructed by Julius Berger Plc at Rumuepirikom Junction in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, last Wednesday, November 16. Also commissioned the previous day was the Basic Clinical Science building of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.
Other projects are the longest flyover in Port Harcourt christened: Nkpolu-Oroworukwo Flyover Bridge, also constructed by Julius Berger Plc at Abuja Bypass Junction by Olu Obasanjo, which was unveiled on Thursday, November 17. Similarly, President Muhammadu Buhari is invited to commission the Port Harcourt Campus of the Nigerian Law School, today.
The rest are the Mgbuitanwo internal roads, handled by Julius Berger Plc at Mgbuitanwo Community in Emohua Local Government Area. The Rukpokwu-Rumuapu-Izo-Igbodo-Igwuruta link road, constructed for the state government by Okmas Nigeria Limited; the Akpabu-Omudioga-Egbeda Road, with MCC Nigeria Limited as contractors. The ceremonies for the unveiling of the Rukpokwu-Rumuapu-Izo-Igbodo-Igwuruta link road and Akpabu-Omudioga-Egbeda Road would hold at Rumuapu Junction on Monday, November 21; and Omapu-Akpabu on Tuesday, November 22.
Also to be commissioned are the Rukpakwolusi-Eliogbolo Community New Layout Road, constructed for the state government by Okmas Nigeria Limited; the Mgbuosimini Community ring/link roads, handled by Ferotex Construction Company Limited. According to the programme, the unveiling activities of both projects would be held at Rukpakwolusi Pipeline Road, and Mgbabo in Ancient Cultural Arena, Mgbuosimini community, on Saturday, November 26, and Friday, December 2, 2022, respectively.
The Rivers State Executive Council had approved the release of N78 billion for the completion of various ongoing projects across sectors and the flag-off of new ones. The approval was made to ensure that ongoing projects were not left uncompleted by the contractors for lack of funds. The government’s massive investment in basic infrastructure is catalyzing the rapid economic growth of the state.
Recall that in September this year, Governor Wike commissioned some essential projects spread across four local government areas of Etche, Degema, Emohua and Ahoada West. The activities included the inauguration of the Etche Campus of the Rivers State University, as well as flag-off of the construction of a one-storey building consisting of six units of a three-bedroom flat and six units of a two-bedroom flat respectively.
Equally commissioned then were Community Secondary School, Obuama (Harry’s Town) in Degema Local Government Area, by the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, Emohua Campus of the Rivers State University, as well as flag off of the construction work on the one-storey building consisting of six units of three-bedroom flat and six units of two-bedroom flat, specifically.
One beautiful thing about Wike’s approach to governance has remained his determination not to leave any of his projects uncompleted and his commitment to completing uncompleted projects of previous administrations. The governor has always assured Rivers people that his administration would not abandon any ongoing project, regardless of the economic downturn in the country. He has demonstrated this by completing several projects abandoned by some of his predecessors in office.
He puts it so succinctly: “I will not leave any project unfinished. I will make sure all the projects we have started are finished. If they are not finished, maybe at 90 or 95 per cent completion, when my successors, Siminialayi Fubara and Prof. Ngozi Ordu come, they should use them for their first 100 days in office projects and commission them. This is because they are part of what we are doing …”
Governor Wike deserves commendation for his performance in developing Rivers State through the execution of legacy projects. A unique factor about his administration is it ensures that it touches every nook and cranny of the state. So, there is always something the government has done in every community that people can catch a glimpse of and celebrate. This is a clear departure from the past when projects were concentrated only in the big cities, harming the smaller towns.
X-raying Wike’s scorecard, it is obvious that in the more than seven years of his administration, he has truly touched the length and breadth of Rivers State through the building of roads, renovation of primary and secondary schools, basic and comprehensive health centres, general hospitals, agriculture, provision of employment, scholarships, security, the state teaching hospital, among others. And the governor delightfully said he would continue working until the very last day of his administration.
Rivers people can attest to Wike’s doggedness, commitment, and steadfastness in the state’s craftsmanship, which indeed earned him the sobriquet “Mr Projects”. Since his emergence as governor of Rivers, he has left no stone unturned in his quest to bring unprecedented infrastructural and human capacity development to the state. Any wonder he bagged a distinguished award in Infrastructure Delivery in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in the development of Rivers State from President Muhammadu Buhari.
At a time some governors are struggling to do projects, citing economic hardship compounded by inflation, many have wondered how the Rivers governor has remained consistent in the execution of developmental projects. Wike’s love for the people of Rivers State is the driving force behind his leadership performance. Congratulations, Governor Wike, on your no mean achievements and tenacity in dealing with challenges! We stand eternally grateful.