5th October, 2016
Gov. Nyeson Wike of Rivers on Wednesday flagged off the reconstruction of Bonny Jetty at Bille/Bonny/Nembe Waterfront in Port Harcourt.
This is contained in a statement issued by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media in Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the occasion, Wike said that the project would help to develop quality water transportation, where safety and security would be promoted.
He said that the reconstruction of the jetty was in fulfilment of the pledge made to the people of the area during his campaign for election.
“The day I came here to inspect this facility, I wept because of the condition of the jetty. We will develop it into a modern jetty.
“All the roads in the suburb will also be rehabilitated by Julius Berger.”
Wike, who urged the residents of the area to support the contractor to deliver the project on schedule, directed the contractor to engage the residents in the execution of the job.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Transport in the state, Mr Akie Fubara, said that the jetty would have a walkway and platform, terminal building with arrival and departure lounges, improved driveway, retention wall and enhanced car park.
Mr Hana Raffoul, Managing Director of Raffoul NigeriaLimited, the firm handling the project, assured that the jetty would be constructed in line with international standards.
NAN reports that hundreds of residents of the area turned out to welcome the governor and celebrate the project.
The jetty, which is the main gateway to Bonny and Bille in Rivers and Nembe in Bayelsa, was abandoned several years ago.
Meanwhile, Wike has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conclude the outstanding parliamentary polls in the state, which it declared inconclusive in March 2016.
Wike made the call at the commencement of reconstruction of Bonny Jetty and Bille-Bonny-Nembe Waterfront in PortHarcourt on Wednesday.
He charged the commission to do everything to ensure that the conclusion of the polls would be free and fair.
The elections would be conducted in eight local government areas and it would involve national and state assemblies’ seats.
It was first scheduled for March 19 but was marred by violence, which forced INEC to cancel it and later rescheduled for July 30.
The elections could also not hold on the new date due to insecurity.
However, INEC in August announced that it would conclude the polls in October but is yet to pick a definite date.
The governor urged the electorate to be calm and orderly whenever the elections would hold.
