By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, has flagged off the reconstruction of 3.85km Mgbuitanwo Community Road in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

The road’s reconstruction was commissioned by Gabriel Suswan on Monday.

Wike said it was a disservice for political leaders to overlook the infrastructural and socio-economic needs of their people to pursue their selfish ambitions.

Wike harped on the importance of the Mgbuitanwo Road project to his administration and the people.

He said the road project would stand as undeniable evidence of the difference between a pro-people approach of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the egocentric posture of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said: “If there is one project that is very important, it is Mgbuitanwo Road. The essence of politics is about what my people will benefit from.  Politics is not about what you’ll put in your pocket.”

The governor told Suswan that despite Mgbuitanwo being the hometown of a former member of House of Representatives and Senate, Senator Andrew Uchendu, the road to the community remained impassable.

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He stated it was regrettable that Senator Uchendu failed to leverage on his relationship with the immediate past governor of the state to attract basic infrastructural projects to his community.

Wike noted that the re-construction of the Mgbuitanwo Community Road project was at the  instance of loyal PDP members from the area, though without any elective positions.

He said: “If you’re a member of APC that’s here today, check your conscience. As an Mgbuitanwo son, as an Mgbuitanwo daughter and a member of APC from Emohua Local Government Area, check yourselves. What is the benefit from the party you call APC to the Mgbuitanwo community and to Emohua Local Government?

“Everybody from Emohua who is in PDP, and who is from Mgbuitanwo, you can go home with your shoulders high and tell them (your people) that I’m proud to be a member of PDP.”

Wike urged the people to own the project and protect it from sabotage, adding that streetlight would be part of the project in the Mgbuitanwo community.

Performing the flag-off, Suswan noted that the giant development strides of Wike were the enduring foundation that was being laid for future Rivers children.

He described Wike as an ambassador of PDP, who had made the party proud with his leadership style.

He said: “This gentleman (Wike) has shown prudence and judicious use of resources that are meant for you, the people. A lot of you will take this for granted.

“But you’ve had governors, you’ve had prominent sons,  you’ve not had roads. When this road is re-constructed and completed you’ll know the difference.

“Wike has brought the best contractor we have in this country to construct your road. You don’t need to like him, you need to appreciate the efforts of making a change in the life of this community.”

Rivers State Commissioner of Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, said the project for the re-construction of Mgbuitanwo Road is the outcome of a promise made by the Governor in January.

He explained that the road will be 3.85km long and 7m wide, complete with drains and streetlights.

According to him, it will connect the East/West Road to Ogbakiri Road as well as connect other communities.