Former Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, expressed admiration for his successor, Governor Siminialayi Fubara, stating that no sitting governor in Nigeria could match his remarkable achievements in delivering landmark projects. Wike made these remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the ambitious Port Harcourt Ring Road project, valued at N195.3 billion, in Port Harcourt.
The Port Harcourt Ring Road, spanning an impressive 50.1 kilometers, aims not only to connect various communities but also to enhance the landscape and foster unity among the people of Rivers State. The project, which will be executed by renowned construction company Julius Berger, is expected to be completed within a period of 36 months. It will traverse six Local Government Areas and feature six flyovers and a river crossing bridge.
During the event, Wike reflected on the slow progress of similar projects in the past. He revealed that during his tenure as Chief of Staff in 2007 and 2008, a substantial sum of N100 billion was allocated towards the construction of the Ring Road, but the project never materialized. In contrast, Governor Fubara, within just one month of assuming office, had awarded a contract worth N195 billion to Julius Berger and had already paid N150 billion towards the project. Wike issued a challenge to all sitting governors, daring them to match Fubara’s audacity and capacity to engage a reputable company like Julius Berger for a single contract of this magnitude. He confidently predicted that the nation would be astonished by the progress made in the first 100 days of Fubara’s administration.
Addressing the failures of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Wike lamented that the commission had not fulfilled its mandate as a development agency. He emphasized that the Port Harcourt Ring Road project should have been executed by the NDDC, underscoring the need for more effective implementation of development initiatives in the Niger Delta region. Wike speculated that if the NDDC had successfully delivered such projects across all states, the transformative impact on the region would have been remarkable.
Governor Fubara, in his address, sought the cooperation of local communities and assured deserving individuals on the project’s right of way that they would receive adequate compensation. He emphasized that the commencement of the groundbreaking signified not only the signing of a contract but also the actual payment and commencement of work on the project.
The Port Harcourt Ring Road project stands as a testament to Governor Fubara’s commitment to infrastructural development and his determination to leave a lasting legacy in Rivers State. As construction begins, residents eagerly anticipate the transformation this ambitious project will bring to their communities and the state as a whole.
Comments are closed.