Rivers State Governor, Dr. Nyesom Wike, has described the two-storey 30-room ultra-modern Administrative Building (all en-suite) built by the administration of Barrister George Ariolu, as an infrastructure structured to drive the economy forward.
The governor noted that the project, among several others will in no doubt encourage correlation between productivity and work space among teeming council staff.
Wike spoke, yesterday, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Headquarters, Rumuodomaya, while inaugurating the Administrative Building.
He was represented by the former Ambassador of Nigeria to South Korea and Chairman of PDP in Rivers State, Amb Desmond Akawor.
“I feel rightly honoured to represent him today to commission this edifice and make available these vehicles to be used by the security agencies. For a function like this that has to do with infrastructure, I am sure what the council chairman has done is not misplaced in any way but something that is right.
“Infrastructures and edifice like this defines a lot in our environment. Its only infrastructure that will drive the economy of our system and when you look at infrastructures like this, there is a correlation between productivity and working space. I’m sure what the chairman has done is to increase productivity of his workforce by making available edifice like this for them to work.”
He expessed delight over the performances of Ariolu, adding that as chairman of the governor’s local government, he didn’t expect less since the Infrastructure Governor is also an outstanding performer from Obio/Akpor.
He noted that what the council chairman has done is a reassurance to the people that he is a staunch follower of the governor’s school of thought, especially in project delivery, commending him for a job well done.
The governor pointed out that it was time to light the torch for the commencement of politics in the state, particularly in Obio/Akpor.
This, he explained, will be made possible when citizens are able to identify those who have served diligently with dedication and commitment to their people.
“Let me mention to our people, especially in Obio/Akpor, the time has come for us to play politics, that is the wave that is on now. Anywhere you go, politics is being played but the truth is that we should be able to look at those who have been able to perform, we should listen to those who will say one thing and they fulfil it. It is time to listen to those who in the past have brought us out of our woes.”
“For George Ariolu, what he has done is that adage that a lion cannot produce a pussy cat. If indeed you belong to the school of Wike, nobody should expect anything less than this from you because this is the only way that our people are confirmed that leadership is service.”
“For a Council to construct this, it could be likened to any state project in any other state but its been done. I’m sure that our people were happy when you told them that the governor never touched your allocation, that’s why you were able to perform.”
Wike further commended Ariolu for promoting the PDP through his administration’s gigantic projects, describing him as an Ambassador of the party.
He stressed that the people of Obio/Akpor cannot be taken back to the era of fake campaign promises by power hungry politicians, adding that they must identify with politicians with good results on their scorecard.
Wike also lauded the council chairman for raising the bar of governance in the local government through his developmental drive in infrastructure and human capital development.
For his part, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Barrister George Ariolu, who spoke earlier, appreciated Wike for creating an enabling atmosphere to serve in the capacity of council chairman.
He thanked Wike for ensuring that chairmen of the 23 Local Government Councils in the state operated freely with the federal allocation assigned to them without state government’s interference.
He reiterated that the Rivers State Government under the administration of Wike has never tampered with the federal allocations of the local governments in the state, rather, he said the governor has consistently encouraged the council chairmen to put on ground, programs and policies that will improve lives.
He maintained that the ultra modern Administrative Building will help to address the wants of office spaces in the council and encourage productivity amongst workers.
As a way encouraging maintenance in the council, Ariolu noted that the Administrative complex was built for specific persons, including the Vice Chairman, Head of Local Government, Directors various units amongst other high ranking officers.
According to him, the decision was taken to avert overcrowding in offices in order to avoid wear and tear in the facility.
Speaking further, the chairman disclosed that the Legislative Building which his administration inherited from the previous government would be ready for commissioning in three months.
Ariolu explained that governance and government must add value to the lives of those who are governed irrespective of the dimensions.
Furthermore, the chairman who expressed his administration’s concern in security, presented three operational Toyota Sienna vehicles to Oginigba, Rumuodomaya and Ozuoba Police Divisions, urging them to redouble their efforts in protecting lives and properties in the local government which has been urbanised through the aggressive urban renewal programmes of Wike.
He used the occasion to reel out some of his achievements in Obio/Akpor, assuring that more projects will follow as funds are made available.