Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, has assured of timely compensation for affected communities of the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, which transverses six local government areas of the state.
Fubara, made the assurance yesterday, during the flag-off of the project, performed by the former governor Nyesom Wike, at the UTC junction, Port Harcourt.
According to Fubara, the inherent individual differences occasioned by the diverse ethnic groupings notwithstanding the project, would serve as a bold effort taken in connecting Rivers people together and fostering greater unity among them.
He pointed out that other previous administrations attempted to execute the project but could not.
The Rivers State governor commended Nyesom Wike for initiating the New Rivers Vision that is serving as the building template to the development of the State as being consolidated by his administration.
According to him: “Today, we are here to put mortar to brick to that contract signing. Some of you had doubts when we signed the contract whether we will start it. But we did not just sign it, we have paid for it and we are here to commence the job.
“The importance of this road is not just connecting Eleme to Etche, Etche to Ikwerre local government areas but connecting our people.”
The governor who emphasised that there was no meaningful development without road accessibility, urged the various communities that the project will traverse to cooperate with the contractor without sabotaging it.
Performing the flag-off, former governor, Wike recalled how the administration he served as Chief-of-Staff, had set money aside but could not muster the political will as demonstrated by Fubara’s government to kick-start the Port Harcourt Ring Road project barely weeks after assuming office.
He lauded Fubara, saying that the bold initiative showed leadership.
He also commended Fubara for the courage and political will to embark on the landmark project, describing him as “a man of few words but with the utmost capacity to deliver great development to the people of Rivers State”.
On his part, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr. George-Kelly Alabo explained that the Ring Road project is 50.15km long and has varied widths of between 7.6m and 29.2m where there are service lanes with 6 flyovers and one river crossing bridge.
Also speaking, Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr. Lars Ritcher, applauded the Rivers State Government for embarking on the project which will be significant to the collective prosperity of the people.
He added that the project is a shining example of modern infrastructural development designed to connect people to communities and to opportunities.
