12th December, 2022
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), an umbrella organisation for the engineering profession in the country has conferred a ‘Distinguished award of Excellence’ on Governor Nyesom Wike over his infrastructural development in Rivers State.
Kelvin Ebiri, Special Assistant on Media to the Rivers State governor said in a press statement that Wike was conferred with the award during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Port Harcourt branch, over the weekend.
The President, Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudil, said Wike was honoured with the ‘Distinguished award of Excellence’ for his outstanding contributions in infrastructural development of Rivers State.
Gidari-Wudil observed that despite being a lawyer, the Governor had dedicated so much resources to strengthening public infrastructure to support Rivers’ economic development.
In his response, Wike acknowledged that there was no way his administration would have successfully undertaken the massive infrastructural development in the state without the input of engineers and other technicians alike.
The governor, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Engineer Emeka Woke, noted that attainment of 50 years by any individual or organisation is no mean feat and so its worthy of celebration.
“I want to congratulate the Nigerian Society of Engineers for attaining this golden age. It is not easy in the life of any individual or organisation to survive 50 years.”
He commended the NSE Port Harcourt branch and the national body for their support and collaboration with his administration since 2015.
According to him, the State government has invested heavily in infrastructural development, to achieved the desired result, it had to depend on professional engineers to execute and carry out its vision and mission for the State.
“There is no way we would have undertaken the infrastructural development we did in this State without the input of engineers and other technicians alike. And so, we thank you for this robust collaboration. And just to assure you, on till the last day of this administration, His Excellency will continue to carry out people-oriented projects that will impact directly on the lives of the citizens, those who live and do business in Rivers State, and Nigeria as a whole.”
The Rivers State governor pledged to support the NSE Port Harcourt branch in building a technology centre along Prof Tams David-West Boulevard in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
“The reason why the State government will be part of this project cannot be over emphasised, because we cannot put up all these structures without thinking about the maintenance. And if these structures will be maintained and kept in place over the years, it means that manpower must be developed and those manpower must be trained to be qualified manpower to generate income for the people.”
The governor extolled the President, Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudil and his team for visiting Port Harcourt to mark the 50th anniversary of the organisation in the State.
“Let me welcome the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers for finding time to come to Rivers State with your team in person, without sending delegation. For you to find time to come and spend some number of days with us, shows your love for this branch.
“It also shows that you have confidence that where you are going is a loveable place, and you are sure of your security. Let me reassure you that not only will you drive on well built infrastructure, you have no issue with security in Rivers State.”