Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has invited his Lagos counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to inaugurate the just completed Orochiri-Worukwo (Waterline Junction) flyover in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Wike, on Wednesday, visited some of the ongoing project cities in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt local government areas of the state.
He mentioned the next tour of project inauguration would begin on Aug. 8 and last for two weeks, stating that a former Sokoto Governor, Aliyu Wamako, would again inaugurate the Ogbum-Nu-Abali Eastern Bypass road.
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Furthermore, he exhorted people of the state to join the government in thanking God Almighty for the achievements of his regime.
He applauded the capacity of his administration in inaugurating more projects and also embarking on new ones.
He said:
“And I think you can’t hear anything happening in most of the States. But for us, we will end our services to the people on the 29th of May, 2023.
Like I said no project will be left abandoned and that is why we have taken priority to make sure that the finances are there to back up these projects. If we don’t have the money, there is no need of awarding contracts.”
He explained though the quantum of civil construction work embarked by his administration might be cost intensive, the overall benefits were a driving force.
Wike explained that the inspection was necessary to affirm the effect the projects would have on the socioeconomic life of the dwellers in it.
He said:
“One of the reasons why we came was to see the impact of the roads and the flyovers. Of course, when the valuers brought the compensation report, we felt that it was too huge. So, we decided to go and see things for ourselves.
But when we got there, we understood that a lot of buildings will be impacted and that requires us to compensate the owners of those houses heavily. But it is worth it in order to give Port Harcourt the facelift required and to transform the landscape of the area.”
The Governor said despite the attendant cost implication of undertaking the projects, his administration had paid 80 per cent for the road dualisation to the contractor.
He said:
“We have been able to fulfill our part to Julius Berger Nigeria PLC. This place now (Illoabuchi Road), we have paid eighty percent for the dualization of Azikiwe Street/Ilaobuchi Road as at yesterday.
By Monday, we want to start paying for the compensation to owners of the buildings so that Julius Berger can start demolishing the affected structures.”
The Governor pleaded with residents in the areas, particularly in Mile 2 Diobu, Port Harcourt to show understanding and endure the inconvenience they would suffer before the work was completed.
Wike expressed delight as people trooped out to meet and appreciate him for a job well done.
He announced that the various projects would create employment for a good number of youth residents within the areas.
However, the move by the former PDP presidential aspirant to invite governors from the opposition party attracted differing reactions.
Why some believe it could be an innocent decision by the Rivers Governor, others opine that Wike is using the invitation of the APC governors to make a statement to the PDP hierarchy.
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