…Appeals For Cooperation From Rivers People Over Governor’s Urban Renewal Programme
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has commended the Executive Governor of Rivers State His Excellency Chief Barr. Nyesome Ezenwo Wike CON, GSSR, POS Africa for his commitment to the infrastructural development of the state in general and Port Harcourt the state capital in particular. The development of the state especially the state capital through the improvement of infrastructure despite the economic down turn experienced in the country occasioned by the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic is a clear testament that the Governor is really building the state for posterity in line with his campaign promises to the people, assuring that the Urban Renewal programme will be experienced in other parts of the state as well.
Rivers state chairman of PDP, Amb. Desmond Akawor through the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Tambari Sydney Gbara calls on Rivers people to understand the strategic industrial and commercial nature of Port Harcourt which necessitate the expansion of existing infrastructure in the city.
The construction of the fourth fly-over at GRA junction along Aba road plus the dualization of the popular Mummy B road to Staduim road, now Ken Saro Wiwa road, the dualization of Tombia street to Ikwerre road and the expansion of Rumuola flyover are all aimed at easing movement and reducing the pains being experienced due to the influx of people into the city with concomitant vehicular traffic. The criticism by the opposition that projects are being concentrated in Port Harcourt is born out of hatred and their resolve not to see anything good in the present government in the state.
They have forgotten the social and economic benefits of a well-planned road network to an ever expanding city like Port Harcourt, knowing that apart from the aesthetics it brings to the city it also eases the movement of goods and services from one point to the other within the city and from the rural areas to urban centres, thereby boosting social and commercial activities.
Port Harcourt is one of the fastest-growing cities in Nigeria because she is the hub of petroleum-related activities in the country. Port Harcourt has an international Airport, a Sea Port, the headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (N.D.D.C.), that’s not all, adjoining towns like Bonny, Onne, and Akpajo equally play host to the Bonny light Oil Terminal, the Liquefied Natural Gas plant (NLNG), a Sea Port and the Petro-Chemical complex respectively. The activities of these Federal Agencies in Rivers state contribute to the influx of people across the globe and within Nigeria into the city of Port Harcourt on a daily basis.
Port Harcourt is equally the destination of choice for people from neighbouring cities like Yenagoa, Owerri, Aba, Uyo, Enugu, Asaba and other parts of the country due to her hospitable nature.
Therefore, a proactive administration must put in place infrastructure to contain the upsurge in population and make provision for future expansion to avoid overstretch of available facilities.
Hence it is imperative to note that no project put in place is a waste as long as it has direct bearings on the people, and will be used by Rivers indigenes and those living and doing business in Rivers state.
Indeed, the Urban renewal programme of the Governor Wike administration which has kick started in the state will also be extended to other local government areas of the state and requires a degree of patience from all indigenes including those doing business in the state to enable it succeed.
According to experts, it is better to develop the urban cities and then connect to the hinterlands. This is the strategy the Wike administration is adopting.
For instance, Lagos state that has developed into Ogun state was achieved through consistent follow up of their urban renewal programme by successive administrations in Lagos. Governor Wike is laying proper a foundation for the success of his programme and not going into a wasteful venture.
Rivers people should therefore be patient and give the Governor the necessary cooperation in his quest to transform Rivers state into a beauty to behold.
