The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday noted that the state deserve better than the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Narrow gauge rail line.
The Governor stated this while commissioning the Omuechi-Omokiri-Aluu Road in Ikwerre Local Government area of the state. Wike stated that the plan by the Federal government to complete the project in 36 months is unrealistic.
According to Wike, “I heard some people came to Rivers State to flag-off narrow gauge when people are talking about standard gauge. And they are making noise about it.”
“Imagine Rivers State, the Treasure Base of the Nation. The state that they used the money to produce their president and towards the end of their administration they are telling us to have a narrow gauge. “I was watching Kakaaki and saw somebody saying he’s a minister and he said he does not drink. You want to finish the narrow gauge in 36 months. That is after they have left office.”
The governor explained that the proposed University of Transport in Ubima , Rivers State ,is deceitful because the Minister of Transportation lacks the capacity to see the project through. According to him: “Since 2015 it is now you want to go to Ubima to build University of Transport.”
Governor Wike said despite his Amaechi’s vehement opposition to his political aspiration to govern the State in 2015 and 2019, he had been elected twice as governor.
“They said we will not be governor, we taught them lesson in politics. In 2015, they said over their dead body will we be governor, am looking for the dead body. 2019 they said we will not be governor, that they are in power. I said you are not in power, God is in power. We defeated them. They are small kids in politics.
He further added: “But let me warn the man who thinks he has President , he has soldiers, he has police, you should have learnt your lesson by now , that when God has left you there is nothing you can do again.”
It would be recalled however that when Wike’s administration came to power, there was a Judicial Commission of Inquiry set to prove his predecessor, but Amaechi challenged Inquiry Court.
Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Sir Austin Opara, said at a time when the federal and state governments are struggling with COVID 19, Governor Wike has instead being commissioning and flagging off projects across the State.
“Federal Government has relied on the disturbances of COVID 19, states are grappling with inability to pay salaries, you are still commissioning projects, you are breaking grounds, you are commissioning more projects. Indeed, it gives concern, what is the magic.
“When you started, your critics what they were saying was that even what he is doing, he is just working in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor, you immediately started commissioning projects in Eleme, Tai, Gokana, Khana, Akuku-Toru, Ikwerre, Emohua and many other Local Governments, then they kept quite.”
Opara noted that the announcement that the Rivers State will be building a Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Centre worth 25 Billion Naira soon is gladdening.
He said in a civilized clime, the Federal Government should have sent a delegation to Rivers State to understudy Governor Wike’s government, to indeed imbibe and learn what is the secret of his success.
“So, indeed I recommend to the APC led Federal Government to send a high powered delegation to Rivers State to understudy the infrastructural revolution that is taking place in the state.”
Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, said the Omuihuechi-Omuoko-Omokiri road before the administration of Governor Wike was a well established nightmare for residents and road users.
He explained that the reconstructed road 6.1km long, 7.3m wide road complete with drains on both sides which measure 12.2km .
“This road is of immense benefit to the 3 communities it is named after, it is also of benefit to residents and people of Choba community, it is of benefit to the students and staff of the University of Port Harcourt, it is of benefit to land and home owners in this area. It is of benefit to real estate development within and around Aluu.”
