Why some people see the avalanche of projects commissioned recently by Governor Nyesom Wike in Rivers State as signature projects, others see it as misplaced projects that do not have direct economic bearing on the people of the state. But for Governor Wike, the projects he initiated such as flyovers, roads, hospitals and Real Madrid Academy are legacy projects that will stand the test of time and enhance the socio-economic transformation of the state.
Governor Wike’s commissioning of projects which started between December 2020 and March 2021 had played host to a number of state governors and political leaders from across Nigeria in colourful ceremonies.
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The carnivalesque atmosphere and the pomp and celebration that greeted Governor Wike and his array of special guests, coupled with a robust display of the rich cultural heritage and traditional beauty of the diverse peoples in every community and local government they visited to commission the projects, were ample testimony that not all Rivers people are against the recently commissioned projects.
First to be commissioned was the Ogbum nu Abali flyover project by the Minister of Works, Barrister Raji Fashola. The commissioning of the flyover project, one of the three flyover projects awarded by Governor Wike in 2019 at the cost of N21bn, was greeted with pomp and pageantry.
Raji Fashola who cut the tape to commission the flyover said that it’s a legacy project that will enhance business activities in the state.
Next to be commissioned was the Emeyal, Elelenwo and General Diriyah streets, all located in the New GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt, by the Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Finitri.
The next phase of schedule for the projects to be commissioned brought to bear distinguished dignitaries drawn from across the political divide in all the geopolitical zones of the country who were scheduled to perform the commissioning ceremonies.
The projects commissioning, our reporter learnt, had commenced on Monday, December 21, 2020, when the Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, commissioned Emeyal, Elelenwo, Ndoni and General Diriya streets.
Governor Fintiri, while cutting the tape to commission the project, praised Governor Wike not only for his commitment to advancing the quality of life of his people “with his landmark projects” but making a difference that is unprecedented and hardly to be equalled.
Fintiri acknowledged Wike as an irrepressible democrat who has continued to demonstrate uncommon vision and rare courage in working for the Rivers people as well as advancing the unity of Nigeria.
“It is really a rare privilege to commission landmark projects in Port Harcourt, the heartbeat of the South-South. I am here on the basis of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the irrepressible democrat who has demonstrated an uncommon vision and rare courage in working for the Rivers people and advancing the unity of our country.
“Nowhere has Governor Wike demonstrated this than in the constant and consistent liaison with his fellow governors such as my humble self in the North. Let me assure the government and good people of Rivers State that the difference that Wike is making in Rivers State is unprecedented and can hardly be equalled,” Fintiri said.
On Tuesday, December 22, 2020, the dualised Tombia Road and Amaji Street were commissioned by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State.
Governor Ortom said that associating with Governor Wike has been rewarding because, aside the fact that it helped to facilitate his return to PDP and secure the party’s ticket for his second term as governor, he also got morale and financial assistance for the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) when Benue State was under attacks from herdsmen.
“There came a time when I was an outcast and my people in Benue State were outcast. Nobody cared to visit for fear of persecution. We were like the lepers in the Bible. Yet, Wike stood up and came all the way to Benue State to see how we were fairing. We had over 500,000 IDPs in camps then. It was not easy to fend for these people. Wike came with very distinguished leaders from Rivers State.
“He gave us support that we never expected more than any other support, including what others did. We appreciate it and pray that such a thing should not come to Rivers State,” Governor Ortom said.
On Wednesday, December 23, 2020, the Woji Road and Obagi Street were commissioned by the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde.
Governor Makinde, who also inaugurated the Real Madrid Football Academy, noted with satisfaction that with the evidence of the performance of Governor Wike, it would be difficult to convince Rivers people to abandon PDP for another party.
“Indeed, all right-minded people like to identify with progress irrespective of their personal feeling towards the initiator. Development is a big part of our democracy and every project counts towards the overall progress of the nation. We are blessed to be leaders at this point of Nigeria’s History where there seems to be reawakening of political consciousness especially among the young people. At the next election in 2023, Nigerians will show that they have learnt something from the event of this year, 2020, and that electoral decisions have consequences,” he stated.
The inauguration of the reconstructed Aker Base Road, Rumuolumeni, now renamed Chief Orabule Adele Road, in honour of an illustrious son of the Rumuolumeni community was performed on Thursday, Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020, by the Abia State Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.
Inaugurating the project, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu described Governor Wike as a brand, an icon, and symbol of everything good and a blessing to Nigeria, adding that the decision to use concrete pavements in the road construction is with the understanding that it is the best for the topography and designed to make the road last for a long time as a legacy to the visionary administration of Governor Wike.
Phase two of the commissioning commenced on Monday, January 4th, 2021, with the 10.3km long Sime-Nonwa-Kira Road in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, by Senator Bala Muhammed, Governor of Bauchi State.
Inaugurating the road, Governor Bala Mohammed applauded Governor Wike for delivering such quality road project that connects several communities to ease movement of rural dwellers and confessed that he feels proud to be a Nigerian anytime he sees how Governor Wike, in spite of imposing challenges, has continued to deliver democratic dividends to Rivers people.
“When I see the quality of this road and the community where it is sited; in Ogoni Land, traversing all these communities and the kind of good sermon given by the local government chairman, and even the Commissioner of Works, I feel elated that I am a Nigerian.
“This is so, because here is a Nigerian, a governor who has been able to deepen leadership, bringing people of capacity on board, even using a local contractor to bring local content. This is the kind of Nigeria we need tomorrow. People who can lead and bring people on board with quality and capacity,” he stated.
On Tuesday, January 5th, 2021, was the inauguration of the 16.06km dualised Saakpenwa-Bori highway, which cuts across Tai, Khana and Gokana local government areas of the state by Gov. Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State. Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Ugwuanyi acknowledged that many projects inaugurated by Governor Wike, including the Saakpenwa -Bori road were campaign promises which the Rivers governor has been fulfilling for Rivers people.
Senator Benneth Birabi and Leedum Mitee, both citizens of Ogoni land, described the road project as a monumental legacy that Governor Wike has bequeathed to them.
A journalist and an indigene from the area, Blessing Wikina, said: “Sakpenwa-Bori-Kono road would not just be a road. It would be a route to Opobo, Andoni, and Bonny. It is our “new planet.”
On Wednesday, January 6th, 2021, the rehabilitated 11.53 kilometres Eleme-Afam (Oyigbo) road, connecting Eleme and Oyigbo local government areas, was performed by the former Senate Majority Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume.
Inaugurating the road, Senator Ndume who is of the APC described Governor Wike as a true nationalist who is an important voice in national affairs across parties, and always stands out as one who speaks the truth to power courageously, even as he admitted that he felt truly humbled to perform the task and be part of what Governor Wike is doing in Rivers State.
Thursday, January 7th, 2021, was the commissioning of Abonnema Ring Road in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, which was performed by former Senate Deputy President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and Governor Wike used the platform to declare loud and clear that the non-stop inauguration of completed projects in the state has silenced critics and members of the opposition APC.
Governor Wike also debunked the allegations that he was not empowering local contractors by naming Lubriks, O.K. Isokariari, Chrisjoe as some of the local contractors who handled a good number of the projects in the state.
Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, while commissioning the Abonnema Ring road, noted that by executing projects in the hinterland other than the city, the Wike administration has demonstrated equity and justice to Rivers people.
He added that the lessons to be learnt from the series of projects inauguration in Rivers State by governors and other political leaders should be for them to get inspired and replicate such developments in their various states and at the national level.
Friday, 8th January, 2021, was the commissioning of the reconstructed Forces Avenue-Olumeni-Harley Streets, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, by the Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. Inaugurating the projects, Governor Tambuwal asserted that the performance of Governor Wike has justified the confidence reposed in him by Rivers people who had reelected him to serve them for a second term.
He described Governor Wike as a bridge builder and a special gift to the country.
National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, in his comments, said that since the roads were first built by the colonial masters, no government had given them serious attention until this intervention by Governor Wike.
Governor Tambuwal was also on ground to commission the Bonny/Bille Jetty on Saturday, January 9th, 2021, and commended the Rivers governor for judiciously applying the resources of the state to address pressing needs of the people.
Speaking on why he remodelled the Bonny/Bille jetty, Governor Wike said the zeal to provide an enabling environment for sea travellers and boost the marine economy of the state, spurred his administration to rehabilitate the once dilapidated jetty first built in the 1950s,
He also warned that he would not tolerate criminal activities around the remodelled jetty and that he would not hesitate to shut down the facility if any passenger travelling to and fro Bonny, Nembe or Bille is reportedly kidnapped around the jetty.
The project commissioning continued on Monday, January 11, 2021, when former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, arrived in Port Harcourt to inaugurate the Rumuche/Rumuakunde/Ohna Awuse Link Roads in Emohua Local Government Area.
Senator Okorocha, who represents Imo West Senatorial District at the Senate, described Governor Wike as a courageous leader, who has spoken truth to power, and has continued to improve the lot of Rivers people with his project delivery mantra.
He added that it is time for people of like-minds who desire the best for Nigeria to stop complaining but come together to join forces to make the country great.
“What brought me here today is not party. What brought me here today is love and friendship. I am not PDP, I am APC. But the time has come when we must break the jinx of party division and begin to embrace brotherhood and friendship and be able to state what is good and what is bad. A bad man is a bad man, even if he is PDP or APC.”
Senator Okorocha also lauded Governor Wike over the Rivers Govt House Clinic and Administrative Building, describing the Rivers State Government House Clinic as a top class health facility that is comparable to the typical German standard hospital, with latest health equipment that can address critical health challenges and stop medical tourism.
Former Senate President and Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, was on ground to commission the Rumuekini/Aluu Road, traversing Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre local government areas, on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, and Governor Wike also used the occasion to declare once again that: “I will not leave burden of uncompleted projects behind for my successor.”
Inaugurating the Rumuekini-Aluu Road, Senator Anyim expressed his delight to associate with Governor Wike because he has demonstrated through his projects that he is truly bonded with Rivers people and knows their needs. He equally noted that it is this level of leadership that has enabled Wike to conceive projects that are tailored to meeting those needs and eliminate the possibility of having white elephant projects.
On Wednesday, January 13, 2021, 2019 PDP vice presidential candidate, Dr. Peter Obi, came to commission the Isiokpo Internal Roads Phase 2 in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Dr Obi who inaugurated the road project hailed Governor Wike for providing access roads to the Isiopko people, which will increase the quality of life they live, enhance property value and reduce poverty.
“Accountability in government is the most critical yardstick to determine good governance and to build the trust of the people. For recruitment into governance, competence capacity, and visible performance like we are seeing here today should be embraced,” he said.
On Thursday, January 14, 2021, Senate Minority Leader and former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, performed the inauguration of Isiodu Road in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Inaugurating the road project, Senator Abaribe urged the people of Emohua and their political leaders not to relent in believing in Governor Wike who they know as a leader who delivers on his promises.
On Saturday, January 16, 2021, the second phase of the project commissioning was rounded off with pomp and celebration at Ogu Bolo LGA, where the inauguration of Bolo Town internal roads network, was performed by the former Governor of Gombe State, Dr Ibrahim Hassan Dankwanbo.
Inaugurating the network of internal roads in Bolo Town, Dr. Dankwanbo said he considered himself privileged to be in Bolo Town to see how such hinterland has been touched by the administration of Governor Wike, delivering democratic dividends to rural dwellers.
He noted that the road infrastructure put in place by the Rivers State governor will open up Bolo Town and its people to enjoy the benefits of the projects commissioned.
The next to be commissioned was the Government House Clinic.
Commissioning the Clinic, former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, lauded Governor Wike for investing in critical infrastructure such as healthcare which is very important in reduction of poverty.
Speaking in the same vein, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Engineer Emeka Woke, said anyone who visited the Government House a year ago would be astounded by the transformation that has taken place within this short period. According to him, it only takes a visionary leader to achieve this feat.
The inauguration of the Rumuogba 1 and 2 flyover by Julius Berger Nigeria, in Port Harcourt, was commissioned by former Minister of Defence and Kano State Governor, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. That of Okoro Nu Odu flyover was commissioned by the former governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke.
The projects commissioned covered not less than 11 local government areas out of the 23 in Rivers State.
Our reporter could not obtain the detailed cost of all the projects but some of them were funded from the N82.9bn budgeted for provision of infrastructures in the 2021 budget.
Wike’s projects in the eyes of the storm
A non-governmental organisation, Rivers Anti-Corruption Network, has sued Rivers State government at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt demanding for the documents covering the award of three flyover contracts awarded by the state government to Julius Berger Nigeria PLC.
Leaders of the NGO, Sebastine Kbalap, and Arochukwu Ogbonna, said they had applied to the Accountant-General of the state for the documents covering the award of the contracts in pursuance of the Freedom of Information Act but were not availed.
They said the state government had also failed to make available relevant documents on the cost of the several other contracts recently awarded by the state government so they had to go to court to compel the relevant officers to provide the documents in the overriding interest of the public.
A former Niger Delta ex-militant leader, Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo, said that the flyover projects constructed by the state government do not have any economic bearing in the state.
Dokubo accused Governor Wike of citing key projects in Port Harcourt.
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