News
Our Projects’ll Secure Votes For PDP Candidates, Wike Predicts
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has revealed that more projects being delivered by his administration are an unbeatable strategy to secure winning votes for all candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state in the 2023 general election.
Wike made the revelation at the inauguration of the Ahoada-Omoku Dual Carriage-way, yesterday, which held at the Ahoada State School in Ahoada East Local Government Area.
The governor said while people are talking about vote buying and using money to induce electorate, his administration has remained committed to do more work for Rivers people and to make them feel happier.
“Our own campaign is to do work. When you are talking about vote buying, this is the vote buying. We are using work to make the people to support us. So, people should not bother themselves thinking people are going to carry money.
“See our own here, we are using the Ahoada-Omoku road dualisation, we are using Ahoada-Ekpena Road, we are using the university campus, we are using Ochigba/Ogbologbolo/Ozochi Road. What will they (opposition) come here and tell you again.”
Wike also said that his administration would use the instrumentality of the law to jail politicians who want to disobey the Executive Orders 21 and 22.
The Executive Orders prohibit political parties, including the ruling PDP in the state, from using public school premises for their political rallies without requisite approval and payment of N5million non-refundable security fee.
The governor noted that some politicians were already boasting that with the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Police on their side, the Executive Orders were inconsequential, and therefore, they would disobey them.
Wike dared such politicians to disobey the Executive Orders if they can, and see if they would not be jailed.
“I didn’t say nobody should use primary and secondary schools for campaigns. All I have said is: if you want to use primary and secondary schools for your campaigns, you deposit money.
“So, that when you’ve used the place and spoil anything in the school, government will use the money to repair those things you spoilt and clean up the school. And there are those who say that they would disobey and no person will do anything. If you do disobey, you know where you will be.”
Wike explained that the Executive Orders seek to regulate the conduct of political activities to curb nuisance and promote public peace.
“Some people put their campaign offices in where people are living. Somebody is coming back to his house, he can’t enter his house. Why, because they are holding political meetings. We say this thing has to be regulated. It has to be in a non-residential area. They say they will not, I say you will. If you dare it without approval, you’ll go to jail.”
Commenting on the Ahoada-Omokudualised road, Wike said the phase one has been completed to add to the several projects that has transformed Ahoada into a modern city.
He said the phase two of the project has been approved and it will extend to Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
He said the phase two of the project has been approved and would extend to Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
He warned owners of land property who were duly compensated before the road project commenced not to return to build structures on the space left for future expansion work.
Wike said the space now belongs to the state government and directed the commissioner for works to demolish all structures that have already been erected on such land space.
The governor at the event formally recognised Kelvin NgoziAnugwo as the EzeEkpeyeLogbo 111, and said his staff of office and certificate of recognition would be issued to him in Port Harcourt.
Wike also gave a brand new Prado SUV to the Bishop of Diocese of Ahoada Anglican Communion, Rt. Ven. Clement Ekpeye, and said other bishops of the Anglican Church had received theirs.
He stated that before his assumption of office in 2015, there was only one first class traditional ruler in Ekpeye land, but explained that he had reversed this as there were presently not less than six first class traditional rulers in Ekpeye land.
Providing the description of the Project, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr.DakorinimaAlaboGeorge-Kelly, said despite some minor difficulties at commencement of work, the project was completed in good time.
George-Kelly said the administration of Governor NyesomWike has succeeded in transforming Ahoada Main Town to a satellite city through various projects in the area.
He said the administration’s road projects in Ahoada are not just to link it with Omoku Town and create access to neighbouring communities, but also to urbanise Ahoada and make it a municipal in line with the state’s original masterplan of creating new cities.
George-Kelly made the assertion at the commissioning ceremony of the 1st phase of Ahoada-Omoku Dual Carriageway at St. Paul’s State School, Ahoada East Local Government Area, on Wednesday 21 December, 2022.
“The construction of Ahoada-Omoku Road was flagged off last year, there were some minor difficulties at the inaugural stage of the project due to the terrain, topography, and flooding, but all those challenges were eventually surmounted.
“This dualised road is 6.2kilometres long, it has a total of 11.2kilometres drains of various sizes, there are drains of 1,200millimetres by 1,200millimetres, 1,000 millimetres by 1,000millimetres, 750millimetres by 750millimetres, and 600millimetres by 600millimetres. They all have a common wall thickness and base thickness of 150millimetres each.
“For the pavement, we have soil replacement of between 400 and 750millimetres thickness. Then we have 150millimetres thickness of soil cement stabilisation, 5percent soil cement stabilisation, specifically. We have an average of 250millimetres stone base thickness, 60millimetres thickness of binder course, and 40millimetres thickness of wearing course.
“The purpose of this project is not just to create access from Ahoada to Omoku or to create access for the neighbouring communities, it is also to transform Ahoada from a rural status to an urban status, or to a municipal if you like, in line with the original masterplan of the state. The Ahoada we saw yesterday is not the Ahoada we are seeing today,” he added.
According to him, the purpose of the project was not only to create access to neighbouring communities and other local government areas but to transform a rural town into an urban status whose residents can enjoy the trappings of city life.
In his address, the South-South Regional Manager of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Juergen Fischer, commended the Rivers State Government for granting the company the opportunity to part of its urban renewal programme.
A Coalition of civil society organisations has urged the Federal Government to take proactive steps towards addressing the persistent gas eruptions in Bille, Rivers.
The coalition, made up of the People’s Assembly and Bille Working Group, made the call in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, and read to journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Reading the letter, the coalition’s convener, Dr Isaac Osuoka, said that the persistent gas eruption in Bille had led to serious environmental and public health challenges.
Osuoka, also the Executive Director, Social Action, urged Tinubu to establish a presidential task force to investigate and contain the gas leak in Bille.
He also called for the immediate relocation of residents to safe shelters, provision of clean water, food and healthcare services.
Dr Emem Okon, the Executive Director, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, stated that gas had been bubbling from the ground, creeks, boreholes and hand-dug wells in the community since October 2025.
Okon said that the gas had triggered several fires and explosions, and that residents of the community had reported respiratory problems, vomiting and other illnesses associated with exposure to the emissions.
According to her, preliminary investigations by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have yet to identify the source of the gas.
Mr Kentebe Ebiaridor, the Coordinator, Oilwatch International, called for the publication of results from preliminary soil and water tests conducted in Bille for the residents to know the nature and extent of the contamination.
Ebiaridor urged the Federal Government to deploy medical teams to screen and treat affected residents, and immediately commence an independent study on the health impacts of the leak.
He further called for the suspension of oil and gas operations around OML 18 and 24 until the source of the gas leak was identified and the affected areas declared safe.
Ebiaridor urged the government to hold current and former operators of the oil leases accountable for environmental damage on the community.
Another speaker, Dr Bieye Briggs, urged the National Assembly to fast-track the NOSDRA Amendment Bill, 2025 to provide the agency with statutory funding and stronger enforcement powers.
Briggs urged the Federal Government to activate the regional Spill Command Centre, and make the Upstream Remediation Fund accessible for the Bille crisis and other affected communities in the Niger Delta.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has banned drone operations and fireworks in Uyo and announced temporary traffic restrictions ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the State today.
The state Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, announced the measures yesterday while briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.
He said the restrictions were part of security arrangements to maintain public order, protect strategic locations and ensure the smooth movement of the President’s convoy during his engagements.
“There will be total restriction on the operation and flying of drones within Uyo metropolis throughout the period of the visit. Members of the public, drone operators and service providers are advised to strictly comply with the directive,” he said.
The police commissioner also announced a ban on fireworks, knockouts and other explosive sound-producing devices within the state capital during the visit.
He said the measure would prevent panic and allow security personnel to respond effectively to genuine security threats.
The command also announced temporary restrictions on public access to designated routes and locations in Uyo to facilitate the movement of the presidential convoy.
The affected areas are Airport Road, Shelter Afrique Junction, Oron Road, Nung Oku Junction, Mbierebe Junction and Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
“Motorists are urged to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the corridors.
“Members of the public are advised to avoid the routes during the restriction and use alternative routes,” Azare said.
He also urged residents to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the affected corridors.
The commissioner said the command, working with other security agencies, had put in place security arrangements to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free visit.
He appealed to residents to understand that the temporary restrictions were necessary security measures and not intended to cause hardship.
Azare urged members of the public to remain law-abiding, avoid restricted areas and report suspicious movements to the nearest police station or through police emergency channels.
Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom is a working visit during which he is expected to inaugurate major infrastructure projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration under its ARISE Agenda. The projects cut across aviation, road infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, land administration and security.
Among the projects scheduled for inauguration are the international terminal building and airport hospital at Victor Attah International Airport, Aviation Village, ARISE Palm Resort, the 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road, Ring Road 3, the Command and Control Centre and the AkwaGIS building.
The state government had earlier announced plans for the President to inaugurate projects as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary in September.
The airport projects are particularly significant to the state’s ambition to expand aviation, tourism and investment.
The international terminal is expected to strengthen the airport’s capacity to handle international operations, while the Aviation Village is intended to provide accommodation for aviation workers. The airport hospital is also among the facilities lined up for inauguration.
The road projects are also expected to improve connectivity. The 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road links communities in the two local government areas, while Ring Road 3 is designed to improve movement within Uyo and ease pressure on existing roads. The Command and Control Centre, meanwhile, is intended to strengthen security surveillance and coordination in the State.
The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.
He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.
He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.
“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.
Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.
The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.
On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.
Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.
With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.
He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.
Kevin Nengia
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