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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says the federal government
has been playing politics with the Ogoni environment remediation
programme recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP).
He noted that Ogoni having played a pivotal role in the economic
development of Rivers State and the country deserves more than what is
currently being offered to the area.
Governor Wike stated this during the commissioning of the 16.06
kilometers dual carriage Sakpenwa-Bori Highway by the Governor of Enugu
State Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Lawrence Ugwuanyi in Bori, Khana Local
Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday.
The governor urged Ogoni people to stop believing those who use Ogoni
clean up exercise at the turn of election year to deceive them and
wondered why clean-up never happens when elections are over.
“I am not like Federal Government. They promised you they will do Ogoni
clean up. Has it been cleaned? I promised you road, have I done it? So
you can see the difference between our party and their own party. The
difference is clear.
“When election comes in 2023, they will start another clean up. You
people don’t even ask question. Why is it a year to election that Ogoni
clean up will always commence? Now that there is no election are they
doing clean up now? Watch from next year they will start clean up.”
Governor Wike said it has remained undisputed that only the governors
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are delivering development
projects to their people.
The governor challenged those who feel uncomfortable with his public
declarations to also showcase their projects and invite persons of
repute to commission them as he has done since December.
He stated that because of the existing mutual trust between his
leadership team and the people, sufficient progress have been achieved
in Ogoni land and in the entire state in terms of project delivery.
Governor Wike announced the commencement of the phase two of the newly
commissioned road, which will now be from Bori to Kono and it will be
awarded to the same construction firm, CCECC.
“Let me tell you, I will dualise from here, Bori to Kono. It will be
handled by the same contractor to maintain the same standard.
“So, when I finish and go, I will tell Ogoni people that it was in my
tenure that you got road; dualised road, from Saakpenwa to Kono with
street lights.
“This is what we call development. You can leave Port Harcourt and come
back home any day, any time. This is what makes a city.
“When I say Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors are doing well,
people are angry. If they are doing well, let them call us. Is it
hidden?
“PDP Governors, we are challenging others, tell us what you’re doing.
It is not to take money to go and buy one governor. That’s not it. We
are talking about governors that are interested in the development of
their people. We are commissioning projects.”
Governor Wike said he promised and within the specified period, he had
delivered to then what he promised to demonstrate that his party is
different from the other that is associated with failed promises.
The governor has meanwhile directed the chairman of Khana Local
government area to ensure that the installed street lights are switched
on every night to improve the security situation in the area.
Governor of Enugu State. Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Lawrence Ugwuanyi
acknowledged that many projects have been inaugurated by Governor Wike,
including the Saakpenwa -Bori road which was a campaign promise that has
been fulfilled.
“Today’s event is significant as it epitomises the desirable fellowship
among colleague governors while providing opportunity for experience
sharing and other discourses on service delivery.
“I congratulate your Excellency, Governor Wike on the accomplishment of
this infrastructural milestone among many others which will undoubtedly
make life more meaningful for the people of Ogoni land
“I understand that this strategic road project was a campaign promise
that has been truthfully fulfilled. Expectedly, it gladdens the hearts
of Ogoni people and reinforces their faith in our constitutional
democracy.
“I enjoin the good people of Ogoni land and entire Rivers State to
continue to support Governor Wike with their prayers and wise counsel as
he takes Rivers State to the next level.”
In their good will message, former President of the Movement for the
Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ledum Mitee said several governors
used the road as point of political campaigns, but all failed to fulfil
such promises.
He said if the money wasted on the abandoned monorail by the immediate
past administration was properly channelled, more flyovers and roads
would have been achieved in the State.
Similarly, the president of Kagote, Hon Emma Deeyaah said governor Wike
has wiped sway their tears and solved the nightmare situation that the
road caused the people.
President of Gbokabari, Senator Ben Birabi noted that such quality of
roads are hardly delivered in Ogoni land and said Governor Wike has
re-energised the spirit of freedom in the state and has performed above
expectations despite the lean financial resources.
Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Elloka Tasie-Amadi, said
again, the Wike administration has demonstrated commitment in delivering
long term service projects that will enhance socioeconomic life of the
people.
“This project is a 16.06 km DUAL carriage highway, with a 2m wide
concrete median, an overall road width of 22.3m, drainage network of
12.02 Km, 480 double arm streetlight poles complete with transformers
and generators to power the streetlights.
“It used to be a deplorable 7.3m wide road but what we have today is 3
times wider than it was then. If we were to stretch this road into a
single carriage way it would stretch from here all the way to Kono a
distance of about 36 km from Sapkenwa. This is excluding the added
mileage we would achieve by converting the concrete median and street
lighting to asphalt pavement.”