Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide, Rivers State chapter, has commended the President Bola Tinubu and his Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, for innovative, speedy and quality work at some of the ongoing federal road projects in the state
The group gave kudos to Umahi on redesign of the East-West Road, Section III (Eleme Junction – Onne Junction), under reconstruction, the 39-kilometer Bodo – Bonny road with bridges and the Ahoada section of the East-West Road.
The Rivers State chapter President of Ohaneze, Livingstone Wechie, appealed to the minister to sustain the pace of work saying they were looking forward to the superstructure of the flyovers and the bridges meant for the entire design and total completion in record time.
Wechie said, “We are further impressed that the Minister is not an armchair Minister but a field manager, always on site to ensure that the job is done in compliance with needed standards.
“The completion and commissioning of phase one of the Eleme-Onne section is very inspiring, looking back at the economic and social loss suffered due to its deplorable history.
“Thankfully, this points to the larger phase two knowing the overall importance of that entire stretch as being a most vital route where you have a massive presence of Multinational Oil and Gas players that hold the economy of Nigeria”.
Wechie hailed the federal government on the progress of the long anticipated Bodo-Bonny road construction, which he said was more than 80 per cent completed, describing it as key to a robust economic revival for the state and the country.
He said, “It is, however, regrettable that these projects particularly the East-West Road sections was awarded with more than 150billion Naira by the past administration with no significant result on ground.
“They treated that road with spite and ignored the state despite the outcry and in spite of the unprecedented investment worth of that road to the nation and the world.
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“While we express our deep appreciation for the foregoing, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Tinubu we believe has in his wisdom entrusted the Minister of Works with this duty because of his antecedent professional competence beyond the partisan fray for which we impress on him to stop at nothing to evince that tact with a lasting quality assurance for these projects in their final delivery as promised”.
Wechie commended Rivers communities for cooperating with contractors handling the roads in the state saying their attitude was an indication that the state was peaceful and that the minister institute robust stakeholders’ management.
He said, “We seize this opportunity to appeal to Mr. President to intentionally consider major signature federal infrastructure projects in Rivers state taking cognisance of the highly improved security situation in the state.
“The Port Harcourt-Aba Road should be given special attention due to its strategic importance. Roads linking the South-South and Southeast should be reconstructed and expanded for a broader commercial advantage.
“We strongly appeal to our dear President for more tertiary health institutions due to the current grossly inadequate facilities including Federal Medical Centres which is lacking in Rivers State with its ever growing population.
“The state contributes a lot to the economy of Nigeria and should be given a priority attention in projects allocation. It is part of our proposal and recommendation to the President that the Wharfs in the state should be fully reactivated as it will expand the economic frontiers in the region and in turn generate more revenues to the federation account.”