27th October, 2022
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Governor Nyesom Wike has released funds for immediate rehabilitation of failed portion of kidnappers and robbers infested Emohua-Kalabari road in Rivers State.
The rehabilitation work will cover over two kilometres stretch of the road, Dornubari Kiinee, the Special Assistant (Media & Documentation) to Dr. Dakorinama Kelly George, the state Commissioner for Works said in a statement.
“The Governor has consequently released 100 percent of the funds needed for the project, and construction work will commence on Monday 31 October, 2022.
The press statement did not include details of the total amount approved and released for the job.
However, Ministry of Works explained that the reconstruction of the major road connecting Kalabari Kingdom to the rest of Rivers State will consist of both concrete (rigid) and asphalt (flexible) pavements to prevent its dilapidation in the near future.
The project is expected to be completed in six weeks.
The announcement has attract commendations across political divides.
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance, AA, in Rivers State, Dr. Dawari Ibietela George has said the directive by Wike that immediate reconstruction work should commence on failed parts of the Emohua-Kalabari Road, is a victory for positive criticism.
Dawari George commended the Rivers State Governor for listening to the people, saying that is what government should do at all times.
Dr. Dawari Ibietela George gave the commendation in press statement signed on his behalf by Bekee Anyalewechi, his spokesman.
The governorship candidate of AA recalled that he the had joined in calling on State government for immediate intervention on the critical route.
His call followed serial kidnapping and robbery that occurred on that route. He explained that governance tied to the needs of the people guarantees peace while benefiting communities exercise public ownership of such projects when sited.
“When a government responds to people’s needs, the people unilaterally own and protect projects sited in their areas because they satisfy their local needs. So, this state government’s intervention, the outcome of collective local demands, deserves commendation”, Dr. Dawari Ibietela George noted.
Dr. George tasked the road’s users to co-operate with the construction company when work commences. “For the six weeks the government said the work would last, my call is that users of that road should co-operate with the construction company so that it would be delivered within the six months deadline.
It would be recalled that the local government Council Chairmen of Emohua, Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru and Degema had tried to collaborate with security agencies to stop the spate of criminality on the route to no avail because of the failed portion which usually serves as point the ambush of victims.