·As internal roads in Okochiri Kingdom, Elekahia Community are inaugurated
By Wisdom Chukwu-Ohaegbule
Gov Nyesom Wike of Rivers State says the delivery of development projects started and completed in various communities without disruption was possible because of the enduring partnership his administration cultivated with the people.
Wike made the assertion while inaugurating phase two construction of internal roads in Okochiri kingdom in Okrika Local Government Area on Friday.
The governor harped on the importance of such partnership between the government and the people, because residents in such communities cease to be antagonistic to contractors handling various projects to ensure they are accomplished.
“Here, you’ll see a lot of commercial activities springing up because of good road network. And if you have not supported the contractors, probably they would have used that as excuse, saying that the community is collecting so much money from them, therefore they cannot continue.
“And I have always spoken about partnership between government and the people, and we are happy that we are getting that support from your (Okochiri) kingdom.”
Gov Wike stressed that because the people have owned up the projects, and have also provided support. They are eventually gaining from the benefit of the completed projects.
The governor recalled how he had, during his first tenure, started and completed the first phase of internal roads in Okochiri, with a promise that the second phase would also be started and completed in his second tenure.
“To the glory of God, we are here today, promise made, promise fulfilled. I’m sure, Amanyanabo, (of Okochiri) you’ll now know, we are not those politicians that will make promise without fulfilling the promise.
“I’m sure, it has made your kingdom to be one of the areas that benefited from good road network. Coming here, you won’t know that here is not part of the city. But with the internal roads now, you can say for sure, you are trying to compete with those of us who are from the city.”
Gov Wike reiterated that he is a man of conscience, who is bonded by his words and returns to fulfill promises made.
Such attribute has marked him out from other politicians, he emphasised, who are not bothered about the import of their political promises made to the people.
Gov Wike said because he is dependable and bonded by his words, the people believed in him and it should also be possible to follow his leading.
Earlier, the inauguration of the internal roads in Elekahia community in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Gov Wike mocked those who in December 2022 had mobilised Elekahia people against the government, because they doubted that the roads would be reconstructed.
Wike insisted that the roads, now completed, bear evidence to the fact that he will never fail on his promise to his people.
“You know, people who are not trust worthy, think that others are not also trust worthy.”
Gov Wike, who said he has fulfilled every promise made to the people, assured that even if it were on his last day in office, he will flag off the construction of the palace of Eze Apara Rebisi.
Providing the description of the phase two internal Roads in Okochiri Kingdom, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr. George-Kelly Dakorinama Alabo said the roads are 13 in number of various length, with the longest measuring 1.6 Kilometers.
According to him, all the roads together, measure 5.6 Kilometers in length, have 7.3 meters width, and have drains on both sides.
Speaking on the Elekahia community internal roads, Dr. Alabo, said 28 separate roads were reconstructed of various length and width, but all of them together measure 5.45 kilometers in length and 8 meters wide.
On his part, Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area, Akuro Tobin thanked governor Wike for the many projects delivered in the area, that have given the people sense of being part of his administration.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Allwell Ihunda, expressed the appreciation of the people to governor Wike for the numerous projects executed in the area under the urban renewal programme of his administration.
He noted that the reconstructed internal roads in Elekahia community will increase and improve economic activities of the people in the council.
