The people of Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have expressed their gratitude to His Excellency, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for what they described as his magnanimity in not only rehabilitating and commissioning the Bille/Bonny/Nembe Jetty but transforming the area with modern facilities.
Speaking with newsmen at the venue of the commissioning, the Regeant of Bille Kingdom and chairman Bille chiefs Council, Alabo (Barr) Bennett Okpokiye-Dokubo said their joy know no bounds because the jetty is like their airport.
“It is a thing of joy for me and Bille people because this jetty is our only route to and from Bille Kingdom. The Jetty has a major impact on us particularly.
He said the major challenges facing the sea travelers is only insecurity. Okpokiye-Dokubo recalled that Governor Wike sometime provided gunboats to monitor the route but wondered why there are not in use. He pleaded with the Rivers State government to please secure the sea travelers from the pirates and as well provide a warehouse and rest house for them to complete their comfort.
In his contribution, Sir (Dr) Somieari Isaac Harry, chairman, Bille Kingdom Community Development Committee (BKCDC) said the modernized facility is more beneficial to his people because the jetty is their only source of exit and entry.
While commending Governor Wike for remembering them the riverine, he said it was not true that the administration is concentrating development in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Governments only.
“The current commissioning of executed projects has shown that Wike policies and programmes cut across all the local government areas”, he said.
He also appealed the Rivers State government to look for means to put security operatives at strategic points on the sea route to allay the travellers fears.
Also speaking, the chairman Bille Community, Port Harcourt, Mr. Fi-Ibite Adokie Bibi said Bille people were elated over the rehabilitation and commissioning at last.
He recalled that the dilapidated jetty has remained bad since the last five decades.
“Whatever we did here in form of rehabilitation has been self-effort until the Wike administration intervention with modern facilities”.
In their own contribution the Bille Women Forum (BWF) prayed for more wisdom and grace upon the state governor for his visionary leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the women, their leader and former CTC chairman of Degema Local Government Area Hon (Mrs) Okorite Carrie-Adiele described the jetty as one of the major legacy projects of the Wike administration and assured of its protection.
“Before, if one is taking his/her visitor home, one would be ashamed of the environment that served as their motor-park but now it has been transformed for us”, we give God the glory.
She appealed to the government to help in rehabilitating the displaced persons at the jetty environment while they the users on their part will ensure the cleanliness of the area.
