The chairman of Etche local government area, Hon Obinna Anyanwu has commended the people of Etche for distancing themselves from a failed protest embarked upon by some “disgruntled politicians belonging to the All Progressives Congress (APC)” from the local government against failed a section of Chokocho bridge-Okehi federal road.
Anyanwu expressed the satisfaction that the vast majority of Etche people welcomed his admonition against joining the failed protest, which according to him, had a political undertone
According to him, “Etche people are wiser than those who showcase fake love on social and traditional media to gain popularity. They understand that the said road belongs to the federal government and that the state government can only intervene after proper approval from the federal ministry of works.”
The council boss, in a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Robinson Oluor and made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, explained that in conjunction with the party leadership, he has been engaging the state government on possible ways of fixing the road.
Hon Anyanwu dismissed insinuations that he hired thugs to disrupt the planned illegal protest, pointing that he has no reason to do such and has never been associated with thugs.
“Such allegations are baseless and unfortunate lies being peddled to smear my image. I have the sacred duty of protecting the lives and property of Etche people, especially during this period of coronavirus pandemic in order not to endanger lives,” he stressed.
It would be noted that security agents including members of Etche Covid-19 Task-Force were drafted to strategic areas to ensure that federal and state governments’ Covid-19 directives against public gatherings were not violated to avoid further spread of the deadly disease.
Recall that the council boss, Hon Obinna Anyanwu had warned those planning to protest to have a second thought and rather work for the progress of the area.
He noted that the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike has done well for the people of Etche since 2015 and would continue to do more.
The local government boss stressed that those planning to protest were ignorant of the ownership of the road and protocols to follow if the state government was to intervene.
“You are aware that at the inception of Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration, there was no single road to get to Etche local government area. The governor out of sheer love for our people opened up the corridors from Igwuruta-Chokocho, Chokocho-Igbo-Rumuokwurusi, followed by Chokocho-Ozuzu, Ulakwo-Nihi and now, the ongoing Odufor-Akpogu-Umuoye road.
“As the chairman of the local government area, I am aware of these difficulties, for which my administration has put in several efforts. I am also aware of the handicap of Governor Nyesom Wike, because the road in question belongs to the federal government and for which the governor has been making effort to do after due consultation with the federal ministry of works since authorization is required to execute,” he stated.
