will be dethroned
Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has ordered the demolition
of illegal sprawling market along the axis of Elele Alimini and Ahoada
Towns of the East-West Road in the State.
He has directed all engaged in illegal activities in the area to quit
because every standing structures at those places will be demolished
with effect from Wednesday 9th June 2021.
Governor Wike gave the warning during the flag-off of construction works
at the Ahoada Campus of Rivers State University, and the dualization of
Ahoada -Omoku Road in Ahoada Town on Tuesday.
“Let me tell you, the state government has not authorised any market
from that Ahoada Junction on East-West Road, keeping to your right and
going back to Port Harcourt. Everything there are illegal structures.
“It doesn’t matter who own them. Whether you come from the South, East,
West or North, if you have any of those illegal market structures, from
that junction down to Elele Alimini, I’ll bring all of them down.
“I did not authorise any market and nobody can build market on the
road. Not even a local government can do that. So, all of you who have
been going to them to collect tolls from them, be prepared. No market
must be on the East-West Road.”
Governor Wike also warned trespassers who have built private residences
within the Western Ahaoda County High School, Ahoada to await the
demolition team from the state government on Wednesday 9th June 2021.
“I have warned you severally and most of you think that nothing will
happen. From next week’s Wednesday, anybody that has private residence
built within the Western Ahoada County High School, I will bring it
down. The land belongs to government and we will not pay any
compensation.”
Speaking further, Governor Wike described as shameful the news of some
traditional rulers who sell employment chances meant for their subjects
to satisfy their selfish interests.
“I cannot bring develop to this place and criminality will be on the
increase. We want companies to come to Ahoada but how will you get
employment without companies? Everyday, you cry of unemployment when the
few companies that have come, you’ll not allow them to stay. You and
your traditional rulers will chase them away with your demands.
“You even sell chances of employing your own people. Woe betide that
traditional ruler that I will catch one day, that is selling what
belongs to (his) your people because you want to collect money, I will
dethrone that traditional ruler that day.”
Governor Wike also warned one Comasi, a notorious criminal terrorising
entire Ahoada axis, to note that he cannot continue to kill people and
go unpunished because time is up for him.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chibodum
Nwuche performed the flag-off of the Ahoada -Omoku Road, described the
event as historic, propelled by Governor Wike’s love for the Ekpeye
people.
According to him, what matters in politics is the sense of value the
people enjoy, and it is bad when it is about putting people down instead
of lifting them up.
Similarly, while performing the flag-off of the Ahoada Campus of Rivers
State University, former Vice Chancellor of University of Port
Harcourt, Prof. Joseph Ajienka commended Governor Wike for using the
multi-campus system to drive educational and community development that
will also create access to education.
He urged the governor to transform the State University into an
entrepreneurial institution where the products of teaching and
researches will be developed to provide ready employments.
“I want to thank you for bringing a campus of the university to Ahaoda.
Like I hinted, universities today have gone beyond teaching and research
to entrepreneurship.
“The operators of universities today are able to transform the products
of research into goods and services to contribute to development of
start-up companies to employ more people to develop the economy. I will
plead that for the remaining part of your tenure, try and transform the
Rivers State university to an entrepreneurial university.”
Earlier, the State government and Julius Berger signed the contract for
the dualization of the Ahoada-Omoku Road Phase 1 at the Government
House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Governor Wike noted that though the Ahoada-Omoku road ought to be a
federal project, the State government cannot to sit and watch her
citizens suffer. According to him, work is progressing rapidly on the
Egbema-Omoku section of the road.
Julius Berger director finance, Martin Brack thanked the Rivers state
government for awarding the job to the company and promised it will be
completed within 12 months.